The role of CD4 in T-cell activation: accessory molecule or co-receptor?
CD4 is an MHC class II binding protein found on T cells that recognize peptide fragments of protein antigens bound to MHC class II molecules. In this review, Charlie Janeway argues that CD4 is a physical component of the T-cell receptor, and that CD4 augments signalling via the receptor by about 100-fold. He proposes the term co-receptor to describe this molecule and its functional homologue, CD8.
Janeway
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D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell