The transferrin receptor is essential to cellular uptake of iron via endocytosis, and has a critical role in erythropoiesis and nervous system development. These mice carry a targeted mutation of the Tfrc, transferrin receptor, gene, in which a NEO cassette replaces exons 3 through 5. Mice that are heterozygous for the targeted mutation are viable and fertile. Homozygous null mice have an embryonic lethal phenotype, failing to develop past embryonic day 12.5, and exhibit severe anemia with hydrops fetalis, hypoxia, kinked neural tubes and pericardial effusions. Heterozygotes on the 129S6/SvEvTac background have decreased total body iron levels, erythroid microcytosis and hypochromia. Mutants on the 129S6/SvEvTac background have a compensatory increase in erythrocyte cell number that compensates for defective erythropoiesis and results in normal hematocrits
and hemoglobin levels.


The Donating Investigator reports preliminary phenotyping data that indicate heterozygotes on the C57BL/6J background display a compensatory increase in erythrocyte number, and that this increase may be insufficient to raise hemoglobin and hemocrit to normal levels.

 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. This is the case for the strain above. 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.

Mice that are homozygous for this Tfrc knockout allele are embryonic lethal. Heterozygotes exhibit defective erythrocyte development and anemia. These mutant mice may be useful in studies of iron homeostasis, erythropoiesis and nervous system development.

A minimum of two mice must be ordered. Additional mice will be charged on a per-mouse basis. Click the “Details” button to learn more.

Our minimum guarantee for cryorecovery orders is 2 carriers. To ensure that your colony can be rapidly expanded upon arrival, additional carriers may be added to your order.