HPB-ALL-CD8a-KO Cell Line

CD8A (CD8 Subunit Alpha) is a Protein Coding gene. This gene encodes the alpha chain of CD8, a cell surface glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediates efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. The encoded protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and functions as a coreceptor alongside the T-cell receptor (TCR) to recognize antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells in the context of class I MHC molecules. The CD8 coreceptor can exist as either a homodimer composed of two alpha chains or as a heterodimer composed of one alpha and one beta chain. Upon TCR recognition of MHC class I:peptide complexes, CD8A interacts with the MHC class I protein and recruits the Src kinase LCK to the vicinity of the TCR-CD3 complex, initiating downstream intracellular signaling pathways that ultimately lead 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, CD8A homodimers at the cell surface provide a survival mechanism allowing conjugation and lysis of multiple target cells. Mutations in this gene are associated with immunodeficiency 116 (IMD116). Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene, with the major protein isoforms differing by the presence or absence of a transmembrane domain.