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 Fc-Chimera Human Recombinant is produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by recombinant DNA technology is a dimeric, glycosilated, polypeptide chain consisting of two mature human EPO molecules linked to the Fc portion of human IgG1. The Fc component contains the CH2 domain, the CH3 domain and hinge region, but not the CH1 domain of IgG1. As a result of glycosylation, the recombinant protein migrates with an apparent molecular mass of 140 kDa in non-reducing SDS-PAGE.