NONMUSCLE MYOSIN HEAVY-CHAIN-B IS RECOGNIZED BY A MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODYTHAT INHIBITS GM1-ENHANCED NEURITOGENESIS

Addition of gangliosides to neuroblastoma cells maintained in vitro ha s been shown to enhance neuritogenesis. Although the mechanism by whic h they exert this effect is unknown, it has been postulated that they may act by adhering to cell surface proteins. In this article, we desc ribe the isolation and identification of an S20Y murine neuroblastoma cell protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody that was prepared aga inst putative GM1-binding proteins and shown to inhibit GM1-enhanced n euritogenesis. The protein identified was nonmuscle myosin heavy chain B, which appears to function in neurite formation but may not adhere to gangliosides.