Abstract:
Permeability of the blood-brain barrier and other physiological barriers can be modulated by the degree of tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins. Agents which promote tyrosine protein dephosphorylation reduce the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and those which promote phosphorylation increase permeability. Increasing blood-brain barrier permeability is useful in delivering drugs having a desired effect upon the central nervous system; decreasing blood-brain barrier permeability and other physiological barrier permeability is useful in preventing undesired compounds reaching the CNS and in certain clinical conditions.
Abstract:
The degree of phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues of p100/p120 can affect the permeability of physiological barriers and also cell—cell adhesion properties. By changing physiological levels, various disorders can be treated, including multiple sclerosis, cancer, head injuries, oedema, stroke, inflammation and gastric ulcers. Furthermore, drugs can be allowed to pass across physiological barriers and the barriers can then be closed.
Abstract:
A protein, p100, is disclosed having a molecular weight of about 100 kDa, being associated in vivo with catenin-cadherin complex of epithelial or endothelial cells, and having cross-reactivity with an antibody to the p120 protein involved in cell-cell adhesion. Also disclosed is a method to treat a cancer or developmental disorder characterized by compromised cell-cell adhesion.