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

## TL;DR

Bacteria use RNA repair to survive antibiotics, with Rtc causing cell-to-cell differences in resistance and offering new ways to fight infections.

## Contribution

The study reveals Rtc-induced heteroresistance and identifies Rtc targets that enhance antibiotic effectiveness.

## Key findings

- Rtc expression causes cell-to-cell heterogeneity in translational capacity and resistance.
- Rtc targets may reduce translational capacity, potentiating antibiotic effects.
- The findings suggest alternate routes for addressing antibiotic resistance in pathogens.

## 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.

RNA repair helps bacteria survive antibiotic stress. Here, authors show that Rtc-driven repair causes cell-to-cell variation in resistance levels, revealing a potential form of heteroresistance, and identify key Rtc targets to enhance antibiotic effectiveness.