Modulating the interaction between ZO-2/TJP2 and a Snail zinc finger transcription factor family member

A method of identifying candidate agents capable of modulating interaction between a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is Zonula Occluden protein 2/tight junction protein 2 (ZO-2/TJP 2) or a functional valiant thereof and the second polypeptide is a Snail zinc finger transcription factor family member selected from the group consisting of a SNAI1 (Snail) polypeptide, a SNAI2 (Slug) polypeptide, or a SNAI3 (Smuc) polypeptide, or a functional variant thereof, the method comprising:

• a) contacting the first polypeptide with the second polypeptide and a candidate agent;
• and
• b) determining whether the binding of the first polypeptide with the second polypeptide is decreased or increased in the presence of said candidate agent when compared with a control;
• wherein the functional variant of ZO-2/TJP2 has at least 95% sequence identity with a ZO-2/TJP2 polypeptide encoded by any one of SEQ ID NOs:
• 1-9;
• and
• wherein the functional variant of the Snail zinc finger transcription factor family member has at least 95 % sequence identity with a SNAI1 (Snail) polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:
• 12 or 13, a SNAI2 (Slug) polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:
• 10 or 11, or a SNAI3 (Smuc) polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:
• 18 or 19.