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.
Erythropoietin-alpha Human Recombinant is produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by recombinant DNA technology is a single, polypeptide chain containing 166 amino acids and having a predicted molecular mass of 21,000 Dalton and apparent glycosylated molecular mass of 36-40kDa Dalton. EPO-a is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.