Single cell observations show persister cells wake based on ribosome content

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cell Biology
• Antibiotic Resistance

Background:

• Persister cells are dormant subpopulations of bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment.
• Their ability to resuscitate and reconstitute infections necessitates understanding their revival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the resuscitation heterogeneity of dormant persister cells.
• To determine the rate and phenotypes of persister cell revival after antibiotic exposure.

Main Methods:

• Utilized single-cell microscopy to observe Escherichia coli persister cells.
• Generated persister cells via low-level antibiotic treatment and high-level rifampicin pretreatment.
• Monitored cell phenotypes upon addition of fresh nutrients.

Main Results:

• Persister cell resuscitation is heterogeneous, with some cells growing immediately.
• Identified five distinct resuscitation phenotypes: immediate division, immediate elongation with division, immediate elongation without division, delayed growth, and no growth.
• Observed that once division commences, growth rates match those of exponentially growing cells.
• Found a critical correlation between higher ribosome content and faster persister cell resuscitation.

Conclusions:

• Dormant persister cells exhibit diverse revival strategies.
• Ribosome abundance is a key factor influencing the speed of persister cell resuscitation.
• Understanding resuscitation dynamics is crucial for developing strategies against persistent infections.