Bacterial persistence is an active σS stress response to metabolic flux limitation.

ABSTRACT: While persisters are a health threat due to their transient antibiotic tolerance, little is known about their phenotype and what actually causes persistence. Using a new method for persister generation and high-throughput methods, we comprehensively mapped the molecular phenotype of Escherichia coli during the entry and in the state of persistence in nutrient-rich conditions. The persister proteome is characterized by σ(S)-mediated stress response and a shift to catabolism, a proteome that starved cells tried to but could not reach due to absence of a carbon and energy source. Metabolism of persisters is geared toward energy production, with depleted metabolite pools. We developed and experimentally verified a model, in which persistence is established through a system-level feedback: Stro

SUBMITTER: Radzikowski JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5043093 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature