Development of a novel anti-microsporidia strategy by inhibiting parasite and host glucose metabolism

Abstract

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that infect most types of animals. Exploring how microsporidia utilize energy substrates in infected host cells is important for human health and the development of the agricultural economy. In this study, transcriptomics was used to systematically analyze the enriched pathways involving ATP/ADP transporters and energy metabolism during the schizont proliferation period of Nosema bombycis. A Nosema bombycis ADP/ATP carrier 1 (NbAAC1) protein function characteristics of the adenine nucleotide translocase family were identified after infection with N. bombycis. NbAAC1 could inhibit ATP production and affect Nosema bombycis proliferation based on RNA interference in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, an effective gene-edited line targeted editing of the Bombyx mori hexokinase (BmHXK) gene of the host glycolytic metabolism pathway could inhibit N. bombycis infection was established. These findings provide new therapeutic approaches to controlling microsporidia infections by inhibiting intracellular parasitic fungi and host energy metabolism.