Nestin [NES/2911]

Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament involved in cytoskeletal formation. Nestin facilitates processes of cellular rearrangement such as migration and mitosis, which are characteristics of undifferentiated cells. Nestin was first identified in the nervous system, present in mitotically active central and peripheral progenitor cells that developed into neurons and glia during early neurogenesis. Studies have shown that Nestin is expressed in proliferating endothelial cells, thus, may serve as an important marker for angiogenesis. Nestin expression has been reported in melanoma and a wide variety of brain tumors, including schwannomas and gliomas. Nestin expression in glioma can be indicative of tumor progression.