Figure 4. Pcbp1 is required for erythroid heme and globin production in mice.

A murine model of Pcbp1 deficiency was generated using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase–loxP system (Pcbp1^fl/fl Cre-ER^T). Male Pcbp1^fl/fl and Pcbp1^fl/fl Cre-ER^T mice were weaned onto a tamoxifen diet for 15, 30, or 45 days to produce PCBP1-deficient (Pcbp1^rec) and control animals (Pcbp1^fl/fl), respectively. Bone marrow was collected and analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot. (A) Loss of PCBP1 transcripts in bone marrow by tamoxifen-induced recombination (Pcbp1^fl/fl, n = 5; Pcbp1^rec, n = 3-6 per group). (B) Reduced β-globin protein in the bone marrow of Pcbp1-deficient animals. (C) Lower Hb pigment in Pcbp1-deficient bone marrow cells. (D) Lower heme levels in bone marrow of Pcbp1-deficient mice. n = 5 Pcbp1^fl/fl; n = 3–6 Pcbp1^rec per time point. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 by 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post-test.