COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING NONCLASSICAL CADHERIN-MEDIATED FUNCTIONS

摘要

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 cadheri n 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/o r (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.