Ferroportin is the only known iron exporter and is essential for iron homeostasis and iron absorption in the intestine. Mutations in the human ferroportin gene, SLC40A1 (solute carrier family 40 (iron-regulated transporter), member 1), can cause type 4 hemochromatosis. These mice possess loxP sites on either side of exons 6 and 7 of the targeted gene. Mice that are homozygous for this allele are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. When these mutant mice are bred to mice that express Cre recombinase, resulting offspring will have exons 6 and 7 deleted in the cre-expressing tissues.
When bred to a strain with inducible Cre recombinase expression in the intestine, this mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of intestinal iron absorption and anemia.
When bred to a strain expressing Cre recombinase in epiblast derived tissues (Meox2tm1(cre)Sor; see Stock No. 003755 for example), this mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of iron homeostasis.
