| Modification Notes |
The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) recognizes foreign antigens and translates such recognition events into intracellular signals that elicit a change in the cell from a dormant to an activated state. Additional proteins termed “accessory molecules” are also required for activation and for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cytotoxicity. For instance, CD2, CD4, CD8, LFA-1, and CD28 are examples of well characterized accessory molecules. An accessory molecule designated DNAX accessory molecule-1 or DNAM-1 has been described. DNAM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is 318 amino acids in length and contains two immunoglobulin-like domains. DNAM-1 is expressed on both T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and participates in primary adhesion during CTL-mediated cytotoxicity. |