Erythropoietin/EPO: Proteins and Enzymes

Erythropoietin/EPO is a renal glycoprotein hormone that promotes erythrocyte formation by preventing the apoptosis of early erythroid precursors which express the EPO receptor (EPO R). Rapid regulation of circulating EPO allows tight control of erythrocyte production and hemoglobin concentrations. Anemia or other causes of low tissue oxygen tension induce EPO production by stabilizing the hypoxia-induceable transcription factors HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha. Erythropoietin/EPO additionally plays ...