Lineage-specific cytokine affecting the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes from their committed progenitor cells. It acts at a late stage of megakaryocyte development. It may be the major physiological regulator of circulating platelets.
THPO: Lineage-specific cytokine affecting the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes from their committed progenitor cells. It acts at a late stage of megakaryocyte development. It may be the major physiological regulator of circulating platelets. Defects in THPO are the cause of thrombocythemia type 1 (THCYT1). A myeloproliferative disorder characterized by elevated platelet levels due to sustained proliferation of megakaryocytes, and frequently lead to thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications. Belongs to the EPO/TPO family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.
Protein type: Cell cycle regulation; Cytokine; Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide
Cellular Component: extracellular region
Molecular Function: receptor binding
Biological Process: myeloid cell differentiation; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation; positive regulation of protein amino acid phosphorylation; positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling cascade; response to lipopolysaccharide