We propose to develop methods to enable proteomic analysis of rare persister cells in phenotypically heterogeneous bacterial populations. Isogenic bacterial populations are characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity that includes variations in metabolic rates and responses to antibiotic treatment. Upon exposure to antibiotics, most bacterial cells die. But in many cases, a small subpopulation (usually < 0.1%) persists and, upon relief of antibiotic challenge, resumes growth. These persister cells have been observed for a wide variety of microbes treated with many types of antibiotics. The ability of pathogenic bacteria to persist and recover following antimicrobial therapy leads to chronic infections and the emergence of resistant strains. Understanding the mechanisms that enable persistence would constitute an important step toward treating and preventing chronic infections, but because studies of persister cells require analysis of small subpopulations of non-growing (or very slowly growing) cells, characterization of persisters has been difficult. We propose to develop and evaluate a general strategy for selective study of these cells at the proteomic level. Specifically we will use bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) and quantitative mass spectrometry to establish the time-dependent proteomic profiles of persister cells before, during, and upon recovery from antibiotic challenge.
We aim to address the following questions: 1. How do persister cells respond to antibiotic challenge? 2. How do persister cells initiate growth following antibiotic challenge? and 3. What makes the persister cell subpopulation different from the antibiotic-susceptible majority? More generally, we will establish bioanalytical methods of broad utility in the study of bacterial persistence, chronic infection, and rare sub-populations in heterogeneous bacterial communities.

Public Health Relevance

When treated with antibiotics, most bacterial cells die. But in many cases, a few cells survive and upon relief of antibiotic challenge, begin to grow again. These 'persister cells' lead to chronic infections and the emergence of resistant strains. We propose a new tool to elucidate the mechanisms that enable pathogens to escape killing by antibiotics, with the ultimate objective of preventing and eradicating chronic infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AI121890-01
Application #
9017852
Study Section
Enabling Bioanalytical and Imaging Technologies Study Section (EBIT)
Program Officer
Ernst, Nancy Lewis
Project Start
2016-01-01
Project End
2017-12-31
Budget Start
2016-01-01
Budget End
2016-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$224,546
Indirect Cost
$74,546
Name
California Institute of Technology
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
009584210
City
Pasadena
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
91125
Stone, Shannon E; Glenn, Weslee S; Hamblin, Graham D et al. (2017) Cell-selective proteomics for biological discovery. Curr Opin Chem Biol 36:50-57