Abstract: Objective To construct and identify Nrf2 knockout mouse model. Methods A pair of male and female heterozygous (Nrf2^-/+) mice were introduced to breed F1 mice. Male and female Nrf2^-/+ mice from F1 generation were bred to obtain F2 generation mice. DNA was extracted from the tail tissue of mice at 5 days of age and their genotype was determined by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. NRF2 protein was extracted and coding gene was knocked out from the lung tissues of mice. The expression of NRF2 protein was detected by Western blot, and the identification results were confirmed laterally. Results Homozygous (Nrf2^-/-) mice continued to mate and obtain homozygous mice. Three genotypes were identified when F1 was mated with F2 generation heterozygous mice: wild type (Nrf2^+/+), heterozygous (Nrf2^+/-) and homozygous (Nrf2^-/-). The genotypes of offspring mice were successfully identified by PCR. NRF2 protein expression in lung tissue of Nrf2 knockout mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice (P＜0.05). Conclusions The mouse model with Nrf2 knockout is successfully bred in this study, which provides a new experimental tool for further exploring the role and mechanism of NRF2.

Key words: Nrf2, gene identification, lungs, mouse