EPO is expressed in many organs where it can activate the EPO receptor (EPO-R), sometimes in combination with the β-common receptor (βCR; CD131) [2].
EPO is known to activate several cell signaling pathways as a result of its interaction with the EPO receptor (EPO-R).
The discovery of the presence of the EPO receptor (EPO-R) in the myocardium and endothelium provided new perspectives on the function of EPO besides stimulating erythropoiesis.
The EPO receptor (EPO-R) is also known to be present in heart, neuronal, retinal, renal and muscle tissues [ 10- 13].
Recently, a novel peptide-based EPO receptor agonist called Hematide, which does not cross-react with anti-EPO antibodies, has been developed (Stead et al, 2006).
Each EPO molecule has two EPO receptor (EPOR) binding sites.
However, the EPO part of the fusion protein does recognize the rat EPO receptor.
Epo receptor (Epo-R) expression is limited to few organs including the uterus.
In short-term animal models of ischemia, erythropoietin (EPO) signaling through the heterodimeric EPO receptor (EPOR)/β-common receptor (βCR) is believed to elicit tissue protective effects.
The EPO receptor (EPOR) is a 66 kD membrane glycoprotein typically consisting of 484 amino acids and 2 peptide chains; it belongs to a large cytokine and growth factor receptor family [3].
