Human T-Cell Surface Glycoprotein CD3 Zeta Chain (CD247) Protein

Background

CD247 Molecule (CD247), also recognized as the T-cell receptor zeta chain (TCRζ), is an integral component of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex, which plays a central role in T-cell activation and immune signaling. CD247 is primarily expressed on T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and other immune cells and contributes to signal transduction during antigen recognition. It is characterized by its three immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) within its intracellular domain, which become phosphorylated upon engagement of the TCR with peptide-MHC complexes. This phosphorylation event triggers downstream signaling cascades, ultimately leading to T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production. CD247 is essential for the assembly, surface expression, and functional competence of the TCR-CD3 complex, and deficiencies or mutations in CD247 are associated with impaired immune responses, reduced TCR signaling, and susceptibility to infectious diseases or immune dysregulation. Aberrant CD247 expression has also been observed in various cancers, autoimmune disorders, and chronic infections, where it often correlates with T-cell exhaustion or dysfunction. Therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating CD247 function or restoring its expression hold promise for enhancing T-cell responses in immunotherapy, especially in cancer treatment and chronic viral infections. Furthermore, its role as a key molecule in immune checkpoint pathways has garnered attention for its potential as a target in the design of novel immune-boosting therapies.