Targeted disruption of the ubiquitous CNC-bZIP transcription factor, Nrf-1, results in anemia and embryonic lethality in mice

The CNC‐basic leucine zipper (CNC‐bZIP) family is a subfamily of bZIP proteins identified from independent searches for factors that bind the AP‐1‐like cis ‐elements in the β‐globin locus control region. Three members, p45‐Nf‐e2, Nrf‐1 and Nrf‐2 have been identified in mammals. Expression of p45‐Nf‐e2 is largely restricted to hematopoietic cells while Nrf‐1 and Nrf‐2 are expressed in a wide range of tissues. To determine the function of Nrf‐1, targeted disruption of the Nrf‐1 gene was carried out. Homozygous Nrf‐1 mutant mice are anemic due to a non‐cell autonomous defect in definitive erythropoiesis and die in utero .