High-throughput small molecule screen identifies inhibitors of microsporidia invasion and proliferation in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: Microsporidia are a diverse group of fungal-related obligate intracellular parasites that infect most animal phyla. Despite the emerging threat that microsporidia represent to humans and agricultural animals, few reliable treatment options exist. Here, we develop a high-throughput screening method for the identification of chemical inhibitors of microsporidia infection, using liquid cultures of Caenorhabditis elegans infected with the microsporidia species Nematocida parisii. We screen a collection of 2560 FDA-approved compounds and natural products, and identify 11 candidate microsporidia inhibitors. Five compounds prevent microsporidia infection by inhibiting spore firing, whereas one compound, dexrazoxane, slows infection progression. The compounds have in vitro activity against several

SUBMITTER: Murareanu BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9513054 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature