Nestin is an intermediate filament family member protein that is structurally related to the neurofilament proteins. It is also a component of the dynamic IF network during muscle development, where it polymerizes with Desmin and Vimentin. Deletion of the IF consensus rod domain in nestin alters nestin localization in CNS precursor cells and radial glial cells in vivo. It is highly expressed in the developing brain, where it may help to regulate cell structure and intracellular processes required for neural cell division and migration. In the rat adrenal gland, nestin is expressed by the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis.
