Peptide-nucleotide antibiotic Microcin C is a potent inducer of stringent response and persistence in both sensitive...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Physiology
• Antibiotic Resistance

Background:

• Microcin C (McC) is a peptide-nucleotide antibiotic targeting aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.
• Bacterial persistence is a survival strategy allowing cells to tolerate antibiotic stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Microcin C (McC) in inducing bacterial persistence in Escherichia coli.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying McC-induced persistence.

Main Methods:

• Assessing persistence levels in Escherichia coli cultures exposed to Microcin C.
• Investigating the involvement of (p)ppGpp signaling and toxin-antitoxin modules in persistence.
• Analyzing the impact of self-produced and externally supplied McC on persistence.

Main Results:

• Microcin C is identified as a potent inducer of persistence in Escherichia coli.
• McC-induced persistence is dependent on (p)ppGpp and chromosomally encoded toxin-antitoxin systems.
• Both imported and intracellularly synthesized McC contribute to increased persistence in producing cells.
• McC-producing cells can induce persistence in sensitive bystander cells.

Conclusions:

• Microcin C significantly enhances bacterial persistence in E. coli through specific molecular pathways.
• The findings highlight the complex ecological role of antibiotics within bacterial communities, where they can promote survival traits.
• Understanding McC-induced persistence offers insights into antibiotic tolerance and inter-bacterial interactions.