Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Protein 4 (C-Flag)

Cytotoxic Tlymphocyte 4 (CTLA-4, CD152), is a type I transmembrane T cell inhibitory molecule that is a member of the Ig superfamily. Human or mouse CTLA4 cDNA encodes 223 amino acids (aa) including a 35 aa signal sequence, a 126 aa extracellular domain (ECD) with one Ig-like V-type domain, a 21 aa transmembrane (TM) sequence, and a 41 aa cytoplasmic sequence.It is widely expressed with highest levels in lymphoid tissues. CD28 and CTLA-4, together with their ligands, B7-1 and B7-2, constitute one of the dominant costimulatory pathways that regulate T and B cell responses. CD28 and CTLA-4 are structurally homologous molecules that are members of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene superfamily. CTLA4 transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells, whereas CD28 transmits a stimulatory signal. Intracellular CTLA4 is also found in regulatory T Cells and may play an important role in their functions. Tcell activation through the Tcell receptor and CD28 leads to increased expression of CTLA4.