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: 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: 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 for cancer therapy or to increase immune cell infiltration into tumors. 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 the other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting nonclassical cadherin-mediated functions, such as atypical or desmosomal cadherin-mediated functions, are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least a tryptophan-containing cell adhesion recognition sequence of an atypical and/or desmosomal cadherin, a conservative analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a cell adhesion recognition sequence. 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, pharmaceutically active substance and/or support material.

Abstract: Agents that inhibit the development of cancer and tumor growth are provided. Such agents comprise a classical cadherin CAR sequence HAV within a cyclic peptide ring, and may be used to prevent or treat cancer.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting degradation of cytoplasmic &bgr;-catenin are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (1) the peptide sequence SYLDS(PO4)GIHS(PO4)G (SEQ ID NO:1) or (2) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for stimulating &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation are provided.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. In particular, the modulating agents may be used in the therapy of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. The modulating agents comprise at least one cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence (HAV) or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a cadherin 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 claudin-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 blood/brain barrier permeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one claudin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the claudin 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: Cyclic peptides comprising a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV, and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides, are provided. Methods for using such peptides for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Method for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit claudin-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 blood/brain barrier permeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one claudin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the claudin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequence recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Peptidomimetics of cyclic peptides, and compositions comprising such peptidomimetics are provided. The peptidomimetics have a three-dimensional structure that is substantially similar to a three-dimensional structure of a cyclic peptide that comprises a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptidomimetics for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting degradation of cytoplasmic &bgr;-catenin are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (1) the peptide sequence SYLDS(PO4)GIHS(PO4)G (SEQ ID NO:1) or (2) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for stimulating &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation are provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting an interaction between &agr;-catenin and &bgr;-catenin are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif; (b) a peptide analogue or mimetic of a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif; or (c) an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif. Methods for using such modulating agents for inhibiting cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

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: 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: Peptidomimetics of cyclic peptides, and compositions comprising such peptidomimetics are provided. The peptidomimetics have a three-dimensional structure that is substantially similar to a three-dimensional structure of a cyclic peptide that comprises a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptidomimetics for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting an interaction between &agr;-catenin and &agr;-catenin are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif; (b) a peptide analogue or mimetic of a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif; or (c) an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a &bgr;-catenin HAV motif. Methods for using such modulating agents for inhibiting cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also 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: Cyclic peptides and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a classical cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for inducing apoptosis in cadherin-expressing cells, such as cancer cells, are also provided.