Mouse EPO

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a 34 kDa glycoprotein hormone in the type I cytokine family and is related to thrombopoietin. Its three N-glycosylation sites, four alpha helices, and N- to C-terminal disulfide bond are conserved across species. Glycosylation of (EPO is required for biological activities in vivo. Epo is primarily produced in the kidney by a population of fibroblast-like cortical interstitial cells adjacent to the proximal tubule. It is also produced in much lower, but functionally significant amounts by fetal hepatocytes and in adult liver and brain. EPO promotes erythrocyte formation by preventing the apoptosis of early erythroid precursors which express the (EPO receptor (EPO R) (1-5).