Antifungal Activity of the Phenolic Compounds Ellagic Acid (EA) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) against Drug-Resistant .

is an emerging healthcare-associated fungal pathogen that has become a serious global health threat. Current treatment options are limited due to drug resistance. New therapeutic strategies are required to target this organism and its pathogenicity.

Repurposing Kinase Inhibitor Bay 11-7085 to Combat and Biofilms.

and spp. are commonly linked with topical biofilm-associated infections such as those found on chronic wounds. These biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat, highlighting the grave need to discover and study new broad-spectrum agents to combat associated infections.

New Antimicrobial Bioactivity against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Positive Bacteria of Kinase Inhibitor IMD0354.

Multidrug-resistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. For decades, the antibiotic vancomycin has been a potent option when treating Gram-positive multidrug-resistant infections. Nonetheless, in recent decades, we have begun to see an increase in vancomycin-resistant bacteria.

SLC45A2 protein stability and regulation of melanosome pH determine melanocyte pigmentation.

encodes a putative transporter expressed primarily in pigment cells. mutations cause oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) and polymorphisms are associated with pigmentation variation, but the localization, function, and regulation of SLC45A2 and its variants remain unknown. We show that SLC45A2 localizes to a cohort of mature melanosomes that only partially overlaps with the cohort expressing the chloride channel OCA2.

Structure-Activity Relationship and Anticancer Profile of Second-Generation Anti-MRSA Synthetic Retinoids.

We previously reported the antibacterial activity of CD437, a known antitumor compound. It proved to be a potent antimicrobial agent effective against both growing and persister cells of methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Herein, we report the synthesis of a panel of analogs and their effect on both MRSA and cancer cells.

Addition of ethylamines to the phenols of bithionol and synthetic retinoids does not elicit activity in gram-negative bacteria.

Our labs have demonstrated the activity of bithionol and synthetic retinoids against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as their membrane-acting mechanism of action. However, the compounds lack activity in gram-negative species. Herein, we apply a known strategy for converting gram-positive agents into broad-spectrum therapies: addition of an alkylamine.

A melanosomal two-pore sodium channel regulates pigmentation.

Intracellular organelles mediate complex cellular functions that often require ion transport across their membranes. Melanosomes are organelles responsible for the synthesis of the major mammalian pigment melanin. Defects in melanin synthesis result in pigmentation defects, visual deficits, and increased susceptibility to skin and eye cancers.

An intracellular anion channel critical for pigmentation.

Intracellular ion channels are essential regulators of organellar and cellular function, yet the molecular identity and physiological role of many of these channels remains elusive. In particular, no ion channel has been characterized in melanosomes, organelles that produce and store the major mammalian pigment melanin. Defects in melanosome function cause albinism, characterized by vision and pigmentation deficits, impaired retinal development, and increased susceptibility to skin and eye cancers.