A monoclonal antibody which binds to the surface of chick brain cells and myotubes: cell selectivity and properties of the antigen.

A monoclonal antibody has been obtained which binds to the cell surface of cultured chick myotubes and retinal and tectal neurons but not fibroblasts, myoblasts and embryonic liver cells. Indirect immunocytochemistry reveals that antigen is present in all layers of the chick neural retina. The antibody therefore recognizes an antigen common to most, if not all, chick neurons. The antigen has been identified by staining SDS gels with [125I]monoclonal antibody and appears to be a polydisperse collection of polypeptides with molecular weights centered about 250 kdalton.