Erythropoietin, Alpha (EPO) Active Protein

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Function: Erythropoietin is the principal hormone involved in the regulation of erythrocyte differentiation and the maintenance of a physiological level of circulating erythrocyte mass.

Subcellular location: Secreted.

Tissue specificity: Produced by kidney or liver of adult mammals and by liver of fetal or neonatal mammals.

Involvement in disease: Microvascular complications of diabetes 2 (MVCD2) [MIM:612623]: Pathological conditions that develop in numerous tissues and organs as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. They include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy leading to end-stage renal disease, and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic retinopathy remains the major cause of new-onset blindness among diabetic adults. It is characterized by vascular permeability and increased tissue ischemia and angiogenesis.Note: Disease susceptibility is associated with variations affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Pharmaceutical use: Used for the treatment of anemia. Available under the names Epogen (Amgen), Epogin (Chugai), Epomax (Elanex), Eprex (Janssen-Cilag), NeoRecormon or Recormon (Roche), Dynepo (Shire Pharmaceuticals) and Procrit (Ortho Biotech). Variations in the glycosylation pattern of EPO distinguishes these products. Epogen, Epogin, Eprex and Procrit are generically known as epoetin alfa, NeoRecormon and Recormon as epoetin beta, Dynepo as epoetin delta and Epomax as epoetin omega. Epoetin zeta is the name used for some 'biosimilars' forms of epoetin alfa and is available under the names Silapo (Stada) and Retacrit (Hospira). Darbepoetin alfa is a form created by 5 substitutions (Asn-57, Thr-59, Val-114, Asn-115 and Thr-117) that create 2 new N-glycosylation sites. It has a longer circulating half-life in vivo. It is available under the name Aranesp (Amgen). EPO is being much misused as a performance-enhancing drug in endurance athletes.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the EPO/TPO family.