Persister Cells Resuscitate Using Membrane Sensors that Activate Chemotaxis, Lower cAMP Levels, and Revive Ribosomes.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Molecular Biology
• Bacterial Physiology and Stress Response

Background:

• Persister cells represent a dormant, stress-tolerant sub-population crucial for bacterial survival.
• The mechanisms governing the resuscitation of persister cells remain largely unknown.
• Understanding persister cell waking is vital for controlling persistent infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the triggers and molecular mechanisms of Escherichia coli persister cell resuscitation.
• To investigate the role of nutrient sensing and chemotaxis in persister cell waking.

Main Methods:

• Single-cell observations of Escherichia coli persister cells.
• Analysis of nutrient sensing pathways involving membrane proteins and secondary messengers.
• Monitoring of cellular activity including chemotaxis and ribosome function.

Main Results:

• Persister cell resuscitation is primarily induced by specific carbon sources, not spontaneous.
• Nutrient sensing occurs via chemotaxis and phosphotransferase membrane proteins.
• Nutrient transport reduces cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, leading to ribosome resuscitation.
• Resuscitating cells initiate chemotaxis towards nutrients, independent of flagellar motion.

Conclusions:

• Escherichia coli persister cells wake upon sensing specific nutrients through membrane receptors.
• The signal transduction pathway involves secondary messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) and impacts ribosome activity.
• Chemotaxis plays a role in nutrient acquisition post-resuscitation, aiding in infection reconstitution.