Human CellExp™ CD8b, Human Recombinant

The T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 beta chain, also called CD8 beta (CD8b), P37 or LEU2 is a cell surface glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediates efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. It plays an essential role in the immune response and serves multiple functions in responses against both external and internal offenses. Being a member of functional coreceptors, CD8 functions either as 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. In T-cells, CD8b functions primarily as a coreceptor for class I MHC molecules. It initiates different intracellular signaling pathways by phosphorylating various substrates ultimately leading to lymphokine production, motility, adhesion and activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Additionally, CD8b plays a critical role in thymic selection of CD8+ T-cells. CD8b is thought to play a role in the process of T-cell mediated killing.