CD3 FITC

The monoclonal SK7 clone recognizes antigen CD3ε epsilon, a 20KDa transmembrane cell-surface protein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The CD3 complex contains a CD3γ chain, a CD3δ chain, and two CD3ε chains. These integral membrane protein chains assemble with additional chains of the T cell receptor (TCR), as well as CD3 zeta chain, to form the T cell receptor – CD3 complex. Together with co-receptors CD4 or CD8, the complex serves to recognize antigens bound to MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells. CD3ε is expressed on T lymphocytes, NK-T cells, and to a varying degree in developing thymocytes. CD3 plays central roles in TCR signaling, T lymphocyte activation, and antigen recognition.