CD8 molecule consists of two chains, termed α and β chain, which are expressed as a disulphide-linked α/β heterdimer or as an α/α homodimer on T cell subset, thymocytes and NK cells. The majority of CD8+ T cells express CD8 as α/β heterdimer. CD8 functions as a coreceptor in concert with TCR for binding the MHC class I/peptide complex. The HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein binds CD8 α chain (but not β chain).
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68_CD8 (SP16).pdf (65.2Kb)