Abstract: Methods for diagnosing cancer, such as prostate, ovarian or breast cancer, as well as leukemia, are provided. Such methods may employ binding agents, such as antibodies or CAR sequences of OB-cadherin or N-cadherin, that specifically bind to OB-cadherin or N-cadherin, or polynucleotides that hybridize to a polynucleotide encoding OB-cadherin or N-cadherin. Also provided are methods for monitoring the progression of a cancer and to evaluate the metastatic potential of a cancer.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (1) the peptide sequence LXXLL (SEQ ID NO:1); or (2) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation in a variety of contexts (e.g., for modulating hair growth or treating cancer or Alzheimer's disease) are provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing nonclassical cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating nonclassical cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing desmosomal cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating desmosomal cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Agents for inhibiting cancer metastasis are provided. The methods comprise administering to a patient an antimetastatic agent that comprises one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises an OB-cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof.

Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting cadherin-mediated functions are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least an HAV binding motif, an analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a motif. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by cadherins and/or other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing nonclassical cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating nonclassical cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Agents for inhibiting cancer metastasis are provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing nonclassical cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises a nonclassical cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating nonclassical cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least one JAM cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds thee JAM cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing OB-cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof; (c) an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding any of the foregoing peptide sequences. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating OB-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting cadherin-mediated functions are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least an HAV binding motif, an analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a motif. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by cadherins and/or other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Agents for inhibiting cancer metastasis are provided. The methods comprise administering to a patient an antimetastatic agent that comprises one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds an OB-cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises an OB-cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least one JAM cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the JAM cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit occludin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. Within certain embodiments, the modulating agents may be used to increase vasopermeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (1) the peptide sequence LXXLL (SEQ ID NO:1); or (2) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation in a variety of contexts (e.g., for modulating hair growth or treating cancer or Alzheimer's disease) are provided.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit occludin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. Within certain embodiments, the modulating agents may be used to increase vasopermeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit occludin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. Within certain embodiments, the modulating agents may be used to increase vasopermeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.