Anti-Mouse CD8a NALE(TM) Purified (Clone: 53-6.7)

The 53-6.7 monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with Ly-2, the 38 kDa alpha chain, and with Lyt-2, the 34 kDa alpha chain, of the mouse CD8 antigen. The alpha chain is the truncated form of alpha chain, encoded by the same CD8a gene. In CD8a, the alpha and alpha chains form heterodimers with CD8b (the beta chains) or homodimers (alpha-alpha), which occur as receptors on the surface of the majority of thymocytes. A subpopulation of mature T lymphocytes expresses the CD8 alpha beta (alpha beta TCR T cells) and a subpopulation of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes and dendritic cells express CD8a without CD8b. CD8 interacts with the mouse major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) molecules on antigen-presenting cells or epithelial cells. Its function seems to be to attenuate the CD8-mediated signal for the stimulation of intrathymic T-cell maturation. The 53-6.7 antibody is useful for depleting CD8+ peripheral T lymphocytes. It cross reacts with the alpha- and alpha-like polypeptides on some thymic and peripheral lymphocytes. Protein function: Integral membrane glycoprotein that plays an essential role in the immune response and serves multiple functions in responses against both external and internal offenses. In T-cells, functions primarily as a coreceptor for MHC class I molecule:peptide complex. The antigens presented by class I peptides are derived from cytosolic proteins while class II derived from extracellular proteins. Interacts simultaneously with the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the MHC class I proteins presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs). In turn, recruits the Src kinase LCK to the vicinity of the TCR-CD3 complex. LCK then initiates different intracellular signaling pathways by phosphorylating various substrates ultimately leading 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, the presence of CD8A homodimers at the cell surface provides a survival mechanism allowing conjugation and lysis of multiple target cells. CD8A homodimer molecules also promote the survival and differentiation of activated lymphocytes into memory CD8 T-cells. [The UniProt Consortium]