T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain (CD8A)

Integral membrane glycoprotein that plays an essential role in the immune response and serves multiple functions in responses against both external and internal offenses. The antigens presented by class I peptides are derived from cytosolic proteins while class II derived from extracellular proteins.

Interacts concurrently with the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the MHC class I proteins presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs). Consequently, recruits the Src kinase LCK to the area of the TCR-CD3 complicated.