Kras Knockin mouse models
Kras, the mouse ortholog of human KRAS, encodes the Ras isoform on which most epithelial tumors depend, a GTPase governed by Sos1-mediated exchange and by Nf1 and Rasa1 GAP activity, coupling receptor input to Raf, PI3K, and Ral effectors; unlike Hras it is farnesylated without palmitoylation and carries a polybasic hypervariable region, and alternative fourth-exon splicing produces the 4A and 4B isoforms with different membrane behavior. Codon 12, 13, and 61 substitutions abolish GAP-stimulated hydrolysis, and allele identity matters pharmacologically, since Gly12Cys and Gly12Asp are addressed by chemically distinct inhibitors. Homozygous deletion is embryonic lethal, uniquely among Ras genes, so conditional nulls are required, while Lox-Stop-Lox oncogenic knockins expressed at endogenous levels remain the standard for tumor initiation and humanization enables clinical-compound pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic testing. Hras and Nras can substitute developmentally when knocked into the Kras locus, evidence that dosage and localization, not sequence identity, drive the essential requirement.
Targeting Kras preserves positional context compared with viral or BAC approaches. That helps when you quantify expression or map chromatin.
What Kras Knockin mouse models are available?
ingenious targeting laboratory offers 5 distinct Kras knockin catalog mouse models. Researchers can order pre-developed catalog lines or request a custom mouse model, including humanized, knockin, and transgenic variations with verified germline transmission.
Catalog table
| Model | Type | Category | Availability | Catalog # | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kras-LSL-G12D/R26-CAG-LSL-Luc-2A-EGFP | Knockin | over expression mice, fluorescent mouse | embryo cryopreservation | KI 234718 | Inquire |
| Kras-LSL-G12C | Knockin | point mutantion mice | In production — inquire | KI 240768 | Inquire |
| Kras-LSL-G12V | Knockin | point mutantion mice | sperm cryopreservation | KI 231383 | Inquire |
| Kras-RSR-G12D | Knockin | point mutantion mice | sperm cryopreservation | KI 210436 | Inquire |
| Kras-LSL-G12D | Knockin | point mutantion mice, disease model mice | live | KI 190003 | Inquire |
Designing a Kras Knockin allele
Substitution identity, not just position, determines what a Kras knockin can test. Glycine to cysteine retains measurable intrinsic hydrolysis and continues to cycle, which is why covalent agents that engage the inactive state can work at all; aspartate and valine substitutions cycle poorly and require chemically distinct approaches, and glutamine 61 substitutions block the catalytic machinery itself. Build the allele that matches the drug class you intend to test rather than defaulting to the most common one. Two construction choices matter. A stop cassette upstream of the mutant exon must be verified as tight, because low-level leak produces sporadic lesions that confound latency comparisons, and a Flp-responsive rather than Cre-responsive cassette frees Cre for a second lesion in the same animal. Track allelic imbalance during progression by sequencing tumor complementary DNA, and confirm activation by Ras-GTP pulldown rather than phospho-ERK alone.
Knockin and humanized formats keep regulatory context at the endogenous locus. For your target tissue focused programs, that matters when expression timing, splice isoforms, or allele dosage drive biology. Random integration transgenics can still help, but targeted alleles usually give cleaner pharmacology readouts.
Pricing and quotes
The Kras Knockin 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 Kras allele configuration that is not listed above, our scientific team designs and generates it. Model generation quotes return in about twenty four hours with project milestones and pricing.
FAQ
What Kras Knockin mouse models are available?
When Kras Knockin 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 Kras knockout embryonic lethal in mice?
It depends on background and allele design. Some Kras 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 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. We favor drivers with strong community validation for your tissue.
Do you ship live Kras 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 Kras?
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.