The SK3 antibody reacts with human CD4, a 59 kDa protein which acts as a co-receptor for the T cell receptor (TCR) in its interaction with MHC Class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. The extracellular domain of CD4 binds to the beta-2 domain of MHC Class II, while its cytoplasmic tail provides a binding site for the tyrosine kinase lck, facilitating the signaling cascade that initiates T cell activation. CD4, and co-receptors CCR5 and CXCR4, may also be utilized by HIV-1 to enter T cells. Human CD4 is typically expressed on thymocytes, some mature T cell populations such as Th17 and T regulatory (Treg) cells, as well as on dendritic cells.

The SK3 antibody is widely used as a phenotypic marker for human CD4 expression, and has been reported to be cross-reactive with Rhesus and Cynomolgus CD4. This antibody does not block binding of alternative clone RPA-T4, suggesting that they recognize different epitopes.

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