Monoclonal antibodies which alter the morphology of cultured chick myogenic cells.

Two monoclonal antibodies that cause changes in the morphology of cultured myogenic cells are described. Antibody JG9 causes myoblasts to round up and causes myotubes to become thin, cable-like structures with multiple round swellings. Antibody JG22 causes both myoblasts and myotubes to become round refractile cells poorly attached to the substratum. The effects of both antibodies are reversible. Fab fragments of JG22 can cause the morphological change. A tentative identification of the antigen recognized by JG22 is made.