Erythropoietin and Erythropoietin Receptor: History, Structure, Interactions, and Intracellular Signal Transduction

Abstract

Erythropoietin (Epo) is essential for formation of red blood cells. Recombinant Epo has been improving life of thousands of patients with anemia such as renal patients around the world. More recently, it has become clear that Epo may also regulate the behavior of other cell types such as neuronal cells, where Epo exerts an antiapoptotic effect. Understanding the modality of action of Epo in erythroid cells will help in characterizing the role of Epo in other cell types where Epo‐receptor (EpoR) is expressed.