Glycoprotein hormone which stimulates red blood cell formation in higher organisms: P. Carnot, C. Deflandre, Compt. Rend. 143, 384 (1906). Single chain, 165 amino acid polypeptide containing approx 40% carbohydrate. Produced in response to hypoxia, primarily in the kidneys and to a lesser extent in the liver. Occurs normally in low concentrations in plasma; elevated levels in urine and plasma under conditions of anemic or hypoxic stress. Isoln from sheep plasma: W. F. White et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res. 16, 219 (1960); from human urine: J. Espada, A. Gutnisky, Biochem. Med. 3, 475 (1970). Purification from human urine: T. Miyake et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252, 5558 (1977). Amino acid sequence: P.-H. Lai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261, 3116 (1986). Biogenesis and control of production: J. W. Fisher, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 173, 289 (1983). Production by recombinant DNA technology in E. coli: S. Lee-Huang, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 2708 (1984); in mammalian cells: K. Jacobs et al., Nature 313, 806 (1985); F.-K. Lin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 7580 (1985). Review of chemistry, pharmacology and clinical efficacy of recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo): K. K. Flaharty et al., Clin. Pharm. 8, 769-782 (1989). Review of clinical screening methods and abuse potential in sports: G. Lippi, G. Guidi, Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 38, 13-19 (2000). Review of clinical experience: K.-U. Eckardt, Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 16, 1745-1749 (2001); D. H. Henry, Expert Opin. Pharmacother. 6, 295-310 (2005).
Hematopoietic.
Hematopoietic