Peschle C, Condorelli M
Science. 1975 Nov 28;190(4217):910-2. doi: 10.1126/science.1242543.
The light mitochondrial fraction of hypoxic rodent kidneys, called the renal erythropoietic factor, contains erythropoietin in a pro, or active form. Erythropoietin is released from this inactive form when the renal erythropoietic factor is incubated with normal serum. The biogenesis of erythropoietin possibly involves a system in kidney reminiscent of the proinsulin-insulin system in pancreas.
