| UniProt Protein Function: | 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. |
| UniProt Code: | P01731 |
| NCBI GenInfo Identifier: | 124487437 |
| NCBI Gene ID: | 12525 |
| NCBI Accession: | NP_001074579.1 |
| UniProt Related Accession: | P01731 |
| Molecular Weight: | 32-36kDa |
| NCBI Full Name: | T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain isoform 1 |
| NCBI Synonym Full Names: | CD8 antigen, alpha chain |
| NCBI Official Symbol: | Cd8a |
| NCBI Official Synonym Symbols: | Ly-2; Ly-B; Ly-35; Lyt-2; BB154331 |
| NCBI Protein Information: | T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain |
| UniProt Protein Name: | T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain |
| UniProt Synonym Protein Names: | T-cell surface glycoprotein Lyt-2; CD_antigen: CD8a |
| Protein Family: | CD81 antigen |
| UniProt Gene Name: | Cd8a |
](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rd6ounxcu2/images/stencil/590x590/products/11206/15260/mouse-cd8a-monoclonal-antibody-53.6.7agel0378__17860__91801.1706269400.jpg?c=1 "Mouse CD8a Monoclonal Antibody [53.6.7](AGEL0378)")
