Sayed Golam Mohiuddin

Abstract Bacterial persister cells that exhibit a transient state of antibiotic tolerance play a key role in chronic and recurring infections. Despite advances in our understanding of persisters, many aspects of their phenotypic plasticity, particularly their metabolism, are poorly characterized. In this Perspective, we examine the static and dynamic characteristics of persister metabolism that are shaped by genetics, environmental cues, and the intrinsic variability in cellular processes.

eLife Assessment The study reports an important finding on the role of the global metabolic regulator Crp/cAMP in the formation of antibiotic persister Escherichia coli. The evidence supporting the claims is solid including metabolomic analysis and characterization of many mutant strains.

Abstract A substantial gap persists in our comprehension of how bacterial metabolism undergoes rewiring during the transition to a persistent state. Also, it remains unclear which metabolic mechanisms become indispensable for persister cell survival. To address these questions, we directed our efforts towards persister cells in Escherichia coli that emerge during the late stationary phase.