Erythropoietin processing in erythropoietic system and central nervous system.

We describe possible functions of carbohydrates attached to growth factors and strategies to examine the functions, concentrating on erythropoietin, a major regulator of erythropoiesis. Erythropoietin in erythropoiesis functions as an endocrine hormone; it is produced by kidney cells and transferred into the circulation to hemopoietic sites. In the brain, erythropoietin acts on neurons in a paracrine fashion. Comparison of glycosylation has been made between kidney and brain erythropoietins.