Heterogeneity in responses to ribosome-targeting antibiotics mediated by bacterial RNA repair.

ABSTRACT: RNA repair is critical for cellular function. The Rtc system maintains RNA integrity within the translational machinery of bacteria. In E. coli, Rtc expression enables cells to rescue growth and survive treatment by conferring transient resistance to ribosome-targeting antibiotics, yet the mechanisms underpinning this resistance remain obscure. Here, we present a computational model of Rtc-regulated repair of translational RNAs. Integrating model predictions with experimental validations, we uncover notable cell-to-cell heterogeneity in rtc expression that impacts on translational capacity, indicating that rtc may induce a form of heteroresistance. We moreover identify Rtc targets that may reduce the translational capacity of cells and so potentiate antibiotic effects. Our findings elucida

SUBMITTER: Hindley HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12606134 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature