Composition and liquid-to-solid maturation of protein aggregates contribute to bacterial dormancy development and recovery

This study investigates the role of protein aggregation in bacterial dormancy in Escherichia coli (E. coli), with a focus on energy-related proteins. The research demonstrates how protein aggregation leads to ATP depletion and induces dormancy, with aggregates transitioning from liquid-like condensates to solid aggregates. The study shows that the dynamics of protein aggregation, particularly the solidification of aggregates, are key to the transition from the persister state to the viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) state, impeding recovery. Chaperone DnaK is shown to play a central role in modulating aggregation and disaggregation. These findings offer insights into bacterial survival mechanisms, including chronic infections and antibiotic resistance, with implications for targeting dormant bacterial populations. Proteom