Description
Product Characteristics: The human CD1 locus contains five genes, CD1A-E. CD1 molecules consist of glycosylated polypeptid alpha chains that span the cell membrane and are non-covalent associated with beta 2-microglobulin. Anti-CD1a recognizes a heavy chain molecule of 49 kDa. This antigen is expressed strongly on cortical thymocytes and on variety of antigen presenting cells including Langerhans' cells and interdigitating dendritic cells. CD1a is not expressed on early thymocytes, and is absent on mature peripheral blood T cells but intracytoplasmic expression is detected on activated T Lymphocytes.
Target Information: This gene encodes a member of the CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins, which are structurally related to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and form heterodimers with beta-2-microglobulin. The CD1 proteins mediate the presentation of primarily lipid and glycolipid antigens of self or microbial origin to T cells. The human genome contains five CD1 family genes organized in a cluster on chromosome 1. The CD1 family members are thought to differ in their cellular localization and specificity for particular lipid ligands. The protein encoded by this gene localizes to the plasma membrane and to recycling vesicles of the early endocytic system. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed, but their biological validity has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]