Cx3cr1 Conditional Knockout mouse — microglial specific context
Cx3cr1, the mouse ortholog of human CX3CR1, encodes the Gi-coupled seven transmembrane receptor for fractalkine, the only CX3C chemokine, which is unusual in being tethered to the membrane by a mucin stalk so that it functions as an adhesion molecule until ADAM10 or ADAM17 shedding releases a soluble chemoattractant. The receptor marks microglia, patrolling monocytes and some natural killer and T cell subsets, and mediates neuron to microglia communication governing synaptic pruning. Allele design here carries a specific trap: the ubiquitous Cx3cr1-GFP and Cx3cr1-CreER tools are knockins that disrupt the coding sequence, so homozygous reporter animals are receptor nulls and heterozygous controls are essential. Humanized knockins additionally allow study of the human M280 variant associated with altered adhesion. Use tamoxifen-inducible deletion with appropriate chase periods to distinguish long-lived microglia from replenishing monocytes, then read process motility, synaptic engulfment, and lesion-associated recruitment.
Tissue restricted knockout of Cx3cr1 keeps wild type function everywhere else. Breeding is often more robust, and the setup mirrors patient biology where mutations arise in a subset of cells. For microglial work, plan Cre specificity, reporter crosses, and baseline phenotyping before you scale.
Catalog options
Conditional knockout focuses the experiment on microglia while the rest of the animal keeps a wild type allele. That pattern mirrors somatic mutation in patients and avoids systemic compensation that can erase subtle phenotypes. It is often preferred when a germline null is lethal, weak, or confounded by developmental rescue.
| Model | Type | Category | Availability | Catalog # | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cx3cr1-Flox | Conditional Knockout | KO/CKO mice | sperm cryopreservation | CKO 226496 | Inquire |
Pricing and quotes
The Cx3cr1 Conditional Knockout lines listed above are catalog models. Send us the catalog number and our team confirms current availability, pricing, and whether the line ships cryopreserved or live.
If your study needs a Cx3cr1 allele configuration that is not listed above, our scientific team designs and generates it. Model generation quotes return in about twenty four hours with milestones for genotyping, QC, and dispatch.
FAQ
What Cx3cr1 Conditional Knockout mouse models are available?
When Cx3cr1 Conditional Knockout lines are in catalog, we ship from inventory. If your configuration is not listed, we design the allele to order. Common paths include conditional knockout, constitutive knockout, humanized, knockin, and transgenic options, with documented germline transmission and United States QC.
Is Cx3cr1 knockout embryonic lethal in mice?
It depends on background and allele design. Some Cx3cr1 germline knockouts are viable. Others need conditional alleles or mixed backgrounds. We review publications and our own experience, then recommend floxed versus null before you commit.
Which Cre driver is best for microglia specific focused experiments?
Driver choice depends on onset timing, recombination efficiency, and known leak. We map your organ and cell type to a short list of proven Cre lines, then talk through reporter crosses and controls. Your note points to microglia specific, so we start driver selection there.
Do you ship live Cx3cr1 animals?
When catalog lines are live, we ship with health certificates and QC documentation. If your exact combo is not listed, we quote a generation project with cryo or live dispatch depending on cohort timing and geography.
How do I request a quote for Cx3cr1?
Use the catalog inquire buttons or the request quote form. Include your allele goal, Cre plan if any, strain background, and cohort size. A PhD led team responds with pricing, milestones, and the fastest path to experimental animals.