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Description

T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain (UniProt: P01731, also known as T-cell surface glycoprotein Lyt-2, CD8a) is encoded by the Cd8a (also known as Lyt-2, Lyt2) gene (Gene ID: 12525) in murine species. CD8 is a single-pass type I membrane protein with one Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. CD8a is produced with a 27 amino acid signal peptide that is subsequently cleaved. CD8a can form a homodimer (CD8 alpha-alpha), but is more commonly expressed as a heterodimer with a second chain known as CD8b or CD8 beta. CD8 acts as a co-receptor for antigen recognition and subsequent T cell activation that is initiated upon binding of the T cell receptor (TCR) to antigen-bearing MHC Class I molecules. The cytoplasmic domains of CD8 provide binding sites for the tyrosine kinase lck, facilitating intracellular signaling events that lead to T cell activation, development, and cytotoxic effector functions. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) play an important role in inducing cell death of tumor cells, as well as cells infected by virus, bacteria or parasites.