The function of ENSG00000130427 (EPO, erythropoietin) is as follows. Hormone involved in the regulation of erythrocyte proliferation and differentiation and the maintenance of a physiological level of circulating erythrocyte mass (PubMed:28283061). Binds to EPOR leading to EPOR dimerization and JAK2 activation thereby activating specific downstream effectors, including STAT1 and STAT3 (PubMed:9774108). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:28283061, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9774108}.