Precocious expression of NAPA-73, an intermediate filament-associated protein, during nervous system and heart development in the chicken embryo.

ABSTRACT

A monoclonal antibody was generated, against early neural crest-derived cells, which recognizes an epitope present on a novel intermediate filament-associated protein. This protein has been named NAPA-73 and is expressed by progenitor cells of the nervous system and heart. Biochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that this protein associates with bundles of intermediate filaments and therefore may play a role in the determination of cell shape.