Erythropoietin and co.: intrinsic structure and functional disorder

Abstract

Erythropoietin (Epo) is a glycoprotein with important roles in erythropoiesis and other biological processes by serving as a hormone, a cytokine, or a growth factor. At least in part, the Epo multifunctionality is driven by its partners. The goal of this article is to evaluate the roles of intrinsic disorder in the functions of Epo and its primary interactors, EpoR, βCR, and HIF-1α.