Oxygen-Regulated Erythropoietin Gene Expression

Abstract The essential role of the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) in the control of red blood cell production is well established (reviewed by Krantz, 1991; Jelkmann, 1992; Ratcliffe, 1993; Sawyer and Penta, 1994; Semenza, 1994). Erythropoietin binds to its receptor on erythroid progenitor cells and stimulates their proliferation, differentiation, and resistance to apoptosis (Kelley et al., 1993; Liboi et al., 1993; Watowich et al., 1994).