CD8A

Template:Short description Template:Cs1 config Template:Infobox gene T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain (Cluster of Differentiation 8a), is a protein encoded by CD8A gene.

Function

The CD8 protein is a cell surface glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediates efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. The CD8, acting as a coreceptor, and the T-cell receptor on the T lymphocyte recognize antigen displayed by an antigen-presenting cell (APC) in the context of class I MHC molecules. The functional coreceptor is either a homodimer composed of two alpha chains, or a heterodimer composed of one alpha and one beta chain. Both alpha and beta chains share significant homology to variable domain of immunoglobulin light chains. This gene encodes the CD8 alpha chain isoforms. Two alternative transcripts encoding distinct isoforms, one membrane associated and one secreted, have been identified.

Interactions

CD8A has been shown to interact with:

• CD3D,
• HLA-A, and
• HLA-G.

See also

• Cluster of differentiation

External links

• Template:Replace at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• Template:UCSC gene info
• Template:UCSC gene info
• Template:PDBe-KB2
• Template:PDBe-KB2

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.

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