Raleb Taher

Abstract Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major problem, but most chronic infections that are recalcitrant to therapy are caused by drug-susceptible pathogens. This paradox is explained by the presence of a small population of quiescent persister cells that are tolerant of killing by antibiotics. Persisters typically have a decreased level of ATP, and diminished activity of antibiotic targets. This leads to persister tolerance of antibiotics that kill by corrupting their targets.

Peroxide sensing is essential for bacterial survival during aerobic metabolism and host infection. Peroxide stress regulators (PerRs) are homodimeric transcriptional repressors with each monomer typically containing both structural and regulatory metal-binding sites. PerR binding to gene promoters is controlled by the presence of iron in the regulatory site, and iron-catalyzed oxidation of PerR by H O leads to the dissociation of PerR from DNA.

Peroxide sensing is essential for bacteria survival during aerobic metabolism and host infection. Peroxide stress regulators (PerRs) are homodimeric transcriptional repressors with each monomer typically containing both structural and regulatory metal-binding sites. PerR binding to gene promoters is controlled by the presence of iron in the regulatory site, and iron-catalyzed oxidation of PerR by H O leads to the dissociation of PerR from DNA.