Description

CD8 molecule consists of two chains, termed ? and ? chain, which are expressed as a disulphide-linked ?/? heterodimer or as an ?/? homodimer on T cell subset (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), thymocytes and NK cells. The majority of CD8+ Tcells expresses CD8 as ?/? heterodimer. CD8 functions as a coreceptor in concert with TCR for binding the MHC class I/peptide complex. The HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein binds CD8 ? chain (but not ? chain).