Mice homozygous for the CAG::mRFP1 transgene exhibit robust and widespread expression of monomeric red fluorescent protein-1 (mRFP1) in embryonic stem cells, embryos, and adults. Unlike tetrameric or dimeric fluorescent proteins, high levels of mRFP1 expression do not affect cell morphology, developmental potential, viability, and fertility of homozygous mice. Various optical imaging modalities can be used to visualize mRFP1 expressing cells in culture, in embryos and adult mice. Cells from transgenic mRFP1 mice, sampled along with green and cyan fluorescent cells from other mice, show clearly discernable fluorescence. This mouse may be useful in studies of mRFP1 cell lines, transplantation, embryo chimera experiments, and fluorescent imaging and technology development.
 In February 2021, The Jackson Laboratory examined a cohort of CAG::mRFP1 hemizygous mice peripheral blood for flow cytometry analysis of RFP. This confirmed RFP expression in CAG::mRFP1 peripheral blood in the examined cell type, CD8+ T cells [<a href="https://www.jax.org/-/media/jaxweb/files/jax-mice-and-services/005884_RFP_expression_Feb2021.pdf">view data</a>].
 In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

These transgenic mice express red fluorescent protein under control of the chicken beta actin promoter and cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer in embryonic stem cells, embryos, and adults. This strain may be useful in studies of transplantation, embryo chimera experiments, and fluorescent imaging and technology development.



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