Selective groups of neuronal and mesodermal cells recognized early in grasshopper embryogenesis by a monoclonal...

Our aim in generating monoclonal antibodies against the grasshopper nervous system is to identify molecules expressed early in neuronal development. A crude homogenate of the adult nervous system was used as the immunogen, and the hybridoma supernatants were screened on young grasshopper embryos. Here we report on the I-5 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes an antigen appearing in an interesting pattern of ectodermal and mesodermal cells early in the embryonic development of the grasshopper. Amongst the cells stained are the pioneer neurons in the central nervous system and the periphery, and the muscle pioneers.