abstract |
Described are polypeptides having part or all of the primary structural conformation and biological property of erythropoietin and having an improved in vivo half-life and biological activity due to a modified glycosylation profile. Also provided are DNA sequences encoding the amino acid sequence of said polypeptide operatively linked to regulatory elements which allow for the expression of said DNA sequence in the eukaryotic host cell as well as vectors comprising such DNA sequences. Furthermore, host cells comprising the aforementioned DNA sequences and vectors and their use for the production of the aforedescribed polypeptide are described. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions are provided comprising the polypeptides, DNA sequences or vectors of the invention. Described is also the use of the aforedescribed polypeptides, DNA sequences and vectors for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for treating all kinds of anaemia caused by a lack of erythropoietin. |