Heterogeneity in responses to ribosome-targeting antibiotics mediated by bacterial RNA repair

Hollie J. Hindley, Zechuan Gong, Shafagh Moradian, Maria Grazia Giuliano, Andrei Sapelkin, Ioly Kotta-Loizou, Martin Buck, Christoph Engl () and Andrea Y. Weiße ()
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Hollie J. Hindley: University of Edinburgh
Zechuan Gong: Queen Mary University of London
Shafagh Moradian: Queen Mary University of London
Maria Grazia Giuliano: Queen Mary University of London
Andrei Sapelkin: Queen Mary University of London
Ioly Kotta-Loizou: Imperial College London
Martin Buck: Imperial College London
Christoph Engl: Queen Mary University of London
Andrea Y. Weiße: University of Edinburgh

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract RNA repair is critical for cellular function. The Rtc system maintains RNA integrity within the translational machinery of bacteria. In E. coli, Rtc expression enables cells to rescue growth and survive treatment by conferring transient resistance to ribosome-targeting antibiotics, yet the mechanisms underpinning this resistance remain obscure. Here, we present a computational model of Rtc-regulated repair of translational RNAs. Integrating model predictions with experimental validations, we uncover notable cell-to-cell heterogeneity in rtc expression that impacts on translational capacity, indicating that rtc may induce a form of heteroresistance. We moreover identify Rtc targets that may reduce the translational capacity of cells and so potentiate antibiotic effects. Our findings elucidate a complex response underpinning resistance conferred by Rtc, offering alternate routes for addressing resistance in E. coli and other relevant pathogens.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64759-3

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64759-3

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