Molecular cloning and expression of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) CD8α and CD8β genes.

T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 consists of two distinguished chains, termed α and β chains, and functions as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor by binding to MHC class I proteins. In this study we report the cloning and identification of both CD8α and CD8β genes from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The predicted grouper CD8α and CD8β proteins were structurally similar to other fish especially to those of Pleuronectiformes.