Entrez Summary: The CD8 antigen is a cell surface glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediates efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. The CD8 antigen acts as a coreceptor with the T-cell receptor on the T lymphocyte to recognize antigens displayed by an antigen presenting cell in the context of class I MHC molecules. The coreceptor functions as either a homodimer composed of two alpha chains or as a heterodimer composed of one alpha and one beta chain. Both alpha and beta chains share significant homology to immunoglobulin variable light chains. This gene encodes the CD8 alpha chain. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2011].
UniProt Summary: Integral membrane glycoprotein that plays an essential role in the immune response and serves multiple functions in responses against both external and internal offenses. In T-cells, functions primarily as a coreceptor for MHC class I molecule:peptide complex. The antigens presented by class I peptides are derived from cytosolic proteins while class II derived from extracellular proteins. Interacts simultaneously with the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the MHC class I proteins presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs). In turn, recruits the Src kinase LCK to the vicinity of the TCR-CD3 complex. LCK then initiates different intracellular signaling pathways by phosphorylating various substrates ultimately leading to lymphokine production, motility, adhesion and activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). This mechanism enables CTLs to recognize and eliminate infected cells and tumor cells. In NK- cells, the presence of CD8A homodimers at the cell surface provides a survival mechanism allowing conjugation and lysis of multiple target cells. CD8A homodimer molecules also promote the survival and differentiation of activated lymphocytes into memory CD8 T-cells. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:16236125, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17678538, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23657257, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26082771}.
Pfam DomainsGO Terms
Pfam Domains
ig
V-set
GO Terms
cytotoxic T cell differentiation
MHC class I protein complex binding
MHC class I protein binding
plasma membrane raft
coreceptor activity
T cell mediated immunity
T cell receptor complex
T cell differentiation
antigen processing and presentation
T cell activation
lymphocyte differentiation
lymphocyte mediated immunity
adaptive immune response based on somatic recombination of immune receptors built from immunoglobulin superfamily domains
leukocyte differentiation
lymphocyte activation
external side of plasma membrane
protein kinase binding
transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathway
hemopoiesis
hematopoietic or lymphoid organ development
adaptive immune response
immune system development
enzyme linked receptor protein signaling pathway
leukocyte mediated immunity
leukocyte activation
cell activation
immune effector process
regulation of immune response
integral component of plasma membrane
regulation of immune system process
immune response
extracellular region
CRISPR Data
Compound HitMost Correlated Genes in ChemogenomicsTissues where Essential in the Avana Dataset (DepMap 20Q1)