The role of polyamines in the regulation of bacterial persistence
Using the complex of methods including reporter gene fusions, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and gene knockout mutations the participation of stress response genes ( rpoS, rmf, relA и spoТ ) in persister cell, formation was revealed in E. coli batch cultures during transition to stationary phase. The expression levels of these genes are positively modulated by polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, cadaverine) in a concentration-depended manner. So, effects of polyamines accumulated by stationary phase cells are targeted to the potentiation of the functions of cell global regulators implicated in stress response and persister cell formation. The data obtained in this work might be used for developing novel approaches targeted to the potentiation of traditional clinical antibiotics or elaboration of new antibacterials.