Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing infection due to a pathogen such as a fungal pathogen. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccinations against or treatment for a fungal organism in a non-immunocompromised or immunocompromised subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing infection due to a pathogen such as a fungal pathogen. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccinations against or treatment for a fungal organism in a non-immunocompromised or immunocompromised subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing infection due to a pathogen such as a fungal pathogen. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccinations against or treatment for a fungal organism in a non-immunocompromised or immunocompromised subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for simultaneously assessing microbial phosphoglucose isomerase, ketol-isomerase and glucosamine-6-phosphate acetyltransferase activities, by measuring the production of Coenzyme A (CoA). The present invention finds use in the isolation of new classes of antifungal drugs, wherein the compounds have the ability to inhibit fungal glucose utilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to assay 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase activity. The present invention also relates to methods for drug screening to identify compounds having antimicrobial activity, wherein the compounds have the ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of a microbial ketol-isomerase. In other embodiments, methods are provided for the identification of compounds that selectively inhibit microbial ketol-isomerase activity compared to the ketol-isomerase activity of the subject being treated for an infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for simultaneously assessing microbial phosphoglucose isomerase, ketol-isomerase and glucosamine-6-phosphate acetyltransferase activities, by measuring the production of Coenzyme A (CoA). The present invention finds use in the isolation of new classes of antifungal drugs, wherein the compounds have the ability to inhibit fungal glucose utilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to assay 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase activity. The present invention also relates to methods for drug screening to identify compounds having antimicrobial activity, wherein the compounds have the ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of a microbial ketol-isomerase. In other embodiments, methods are provided for the identification of compounds that selectively inhibit microbial ketol-isomerase activity compared to the ketol-isomerase activity of the subject being treated for an infection.

Abstract: A novel antifungal compound, “CAY-1”, was isolated from the dried fruit of Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), purified to homogeneity, and characterized as a novel sterol glycoside (a saponin) with a molecular mass of 1243.35 Da. CAY-1 demonstrates antifungal activity against a large variety of fungal organisms associated with diseases in plants, animals and humans including, but not limited to, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. niger, Pneumocystis carnii and Candida albicans, but has minimal toxic effects on mammalian cells.

Abstract: Novel plant proteins (SAFPs) which synergize the activity of antifungal antibiotics are identified. SAFPs are demonstrated to synergize antifungal antibiotics, such as nikkomycins, polyoxins and amphotericins. SAFPs alone also display antifungal activity against several species of fungi, including strains of Candida, Trichoderma, Neurospora and strains of the plant pathogens Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Chaetomium. Synergistic antifungal compositions containing SAFP and antifungal antibiotics are provided. In particular, synergistic compositions of corn-SAFP (zeamatin), sorghum-SAFP (sormatin) or oat-SAFP (avematin) and nikkomycin are found to be effective as antifungal compositions, especially against the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. Method for employing SAFPs and synergistic compositions containing them for the inhibition of fungi are provided. In addition, a method for purifying SAFP from grain meal is provided.

Abstract: A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase mutant useful in the research and development of anti-fungal drugs. A key step in fungal wall assembly, hyphal growth and infection is the synthesis of (1,3).beta.-linked glucan. Because .beta.-glucan is not made by humans, (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase is an attractive target for development of new antifungal antibiotics. A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase gene has been cloned and the cDNA sequence and polypeptide amino acid sequence of the gene has been established.

Abstract: Novel plant proteins (SAFPs) which synergize the activity of antifungal antibiotics are identified. SAFPs are demonstrated to synergize antifungal antibiotics, such as nikkomycins, polyoxins and amphotericins. SAFPs alone also display antifungal activity against several species of fungi, including strains of Candida, Trichoderma, Neurospora and strains of the plant pathogens Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Chaetomium. Synergistic antifungal compositions containing SAFP and antifungal antibiotics are provided. In particular, synergistic compositions of corn-SAFP (zeamatin), sorghum-SAFP (sormatin) or oat-SAFP (avematin) and nikkomycin are found to be effective as antifungal compositions, especially against the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. Method for employing SAFPs and synergistic compositions containing them for the inhibition of fungi are provided. In addition, a method for purifying SAFP from grain meal is provided.

Abstract: Novel plant proteins (SAFPs) which synergize the activity of antifungal antibiotics are identified. SAFPs are demonstrated to synergize antifungal antibiotics, such as nikkomycins, polyoxins and amphotericins. SAFPs alone also display antifungal activity against several species of fungi, including strains of Candida, Trichoderma, Neurospora and strains of the plant pathogens Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Chaetomium. Synergistic antifungal compositions containing SAFP and antifungal antibiotics are provided. In particular, synergistic compositions of corn-SAFP (zeamatin), sorghum-SAFP (sormatin) or oat-SAFP (avematin) and nikkomycin are found to be effective as antifungal compositions, especially against the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. Method for employing SAFPs and synergistic compositions containing them for the inhibition of fungi are provided. In addition, a method for purifying SAFP from grain meal is provided.

Abstract: Novel plant proteins (SAFPs) which synergize the activity of antifungal antibiotics are identified. SAFPs are demonstrated to synergize antifungal antibiotics, such as nikkomycins, polyoxins and amphotericins. SAFPs alone also display antifungal activity against several species of fungi, including strains of Candida, Trichoderma, Neurospora and strains of the plant pathogens Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Chaetomium. Synergistic antifungal compositions containing SAFP and antifungal antibiotics are provided. In particular, synergistic compositions of corn-SAFP (zeamatin), sorghum-SAFP (sormatin) or oat-SAFP (avematin) and nikkomycin are found to be effective as antifungal compositions, especially against the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. Method for employing SAFPs and synergistic compositions containing them for the inhibition of fungi are provided. In addition, a method for purifying SAFP from grain meal is provided.

Abstract: This invention concerns conditional protoplasts of temperature-sensitive variants of the osmotic-1 mutant strain of Neurospora crassa, and method of making same.