Utilization of a zinc reporter reveals the complexities of fungal sensing of metal deprivation.

is a dimorphic fungal pathogen acquired via inhalation of soil-resident spores. Upon exposure to mammalian body temperatures, these fungal elements transform into yeasts that reside primarily within phagocytes. Macrophages (MΦ) provide a permissive environment for fungal replication until T cell-dependent immunity is engaged.

Utilization of a zinc reporter reveals the complexities of fungal sensing of metal deprivation.

Unlabelled: is a dimorphic fungal pathogen acquired via inhalation of soil-resident spores. Upon exposure to mammalian body temperatures, these fungal elements transform into yeasts that reside primarily within phagocytes. Macrophages (MΦ) provide a permissive environment for fungal replication until T cell-dependent immunity is engaged.

Deletion of the Stress Response Gene from Increases Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress, Increases Susceptibility to Antifungals, and Decreases Fitness in Macrophages.

The stress response gene has been characterized in and to be involved in combating various cellular stressors, from oxidative agents to antifungal compounds. Surprisingly, the biological function of has yet to be identified, though it is likely an important part of the stress response. To gain insight into its function, we characterized in the dimorphic fungal pathogen .

A metabolic inhibitor arms macrophages to kill intracellular fungal pathogens by manipulating zinc homeostasis.

Macrophages deploy numerous strategies to combat invasion by microbes. One tactic is to restrict acquisition of diverse nutrients, including trace metals, a process termed nutritional immunity. Intracellular pathogens adapt to a resource-poor environment by marshaling mechanisms to harvest nutrients.

A bio-based pro-antimicrobial polymer network via degradable acetal linkages.

Unlabelled: The synthesis of a fully degradable, bio-based, sustained release, pro-antimicrobial polymer network comprised of degradable acetals (PANDA) is reported. The active antimicrobial agent - p-anisaldehyde (pA) (an extract from star anise) - was converted into a UV curable acetal containing pro-antimicrobial monomer and subsequently photopolymerized into a homogenous thiol-ene network. Under neutral to acidic conditions (pH < 8), the PANDAs undergo surface erosion and exhibit sustained release of pA over 38 days.