Antibiotics stimulate protein transfer to persister cells

doi:10.1126/science.adx3972

Antibiotics stimulate protein transfer to persister cells

2026-06-25

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Shrawan Kumar Mageswaran

Antoinette E. Martinez

DOI：10.1126/science.adx3972

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In addition to killing bacteria, antibiotics can also promote adaptations that help bacteria survive. Wen et al. found that antibiotic stress triggers protein exchange between neighboring bacteria through membrane-bound vesicles (see the Perspective by Oms and Van Melderen). Some bacteria, especially dormant “persister” cells that normally turn off their protein synthesis, are more likely to take up these vesicles and use their contents to withstand antibiotic treatment. This process creates two transient cell states within an otherwise identical population: donor cells that release proteins and dormant recipient cells that receive them. By revealing how bacteria share proteins under antibiotic stress, this work uncovers a mechanism by which microbes can survive antibiotics and suggests potential strategies to target persistent infections. —Stella M. Hurtley

Antibiotics stimulate protein transfer to persister cells

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