CD8a (Cluster of Differentiation 8a), is a human
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
Function
The CD8 antigen is a cell surface
glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic
T lymphocyte
A T cell is a type of lymphocyte. T cells are one of the important white blood cells of the immune system and play a central role in the adaptive immune response. T cells can be distinguished from other lymphocytes by the presence of a T-cell r ...
s that mediates efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. The CD8 antigen, 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 immunoglobulin variable 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
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with:
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CD3D
T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 delta chain is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CD3D'' gene.
Interactions
CD3D has been shown to interact with CD8A.
See also
* CD3 (immunology)
* Cluster of differentiation
The cluster of differen ...
,
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HLA-A
HLA-A is a group of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) that are encoded by the HLA-A locus, which is located at human chromosome 6p21.3. HLA is a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen specific to humans. HLA-A is one of three major types of ...
,
HLA-G
HLA-G histocompatibility antigen, class I, G, also known as human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''HLA-G'' gene.
HLA-G belongs to the HLA nonclassical class I heavy chain paralogues. Classical HLA I pro ...
.
See also
* Cluster of differentiation
The cluster of differentiation (also known as cluster of designation or classification determinant and often abbreviated as CD) is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules providing targets for immunophen ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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Clusters of differentiation
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