T-Cell Surface Glycoprotein CD8

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein

**Definition:** A dimeric protein complex that functions as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor and is involved with both signal transduction in and antigen interactions with T-lymphocytes. CD8 is commonly composed of a heterodimer of the T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha and beta chains, but functional homodimers of the alpha chain also exist.

**Synonyms:** - CD8 - CD8 Antigen - CD8 Co-Receptor - CD8 Complex