Growth‐dependent heterogeneity in the DNA damage response in Escherichia coli. Issue 5 (27th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaramillo‐Riveri, Sebastián; Broughton, James; McVey, Alexander; Pilizota, Teuta; Scott, Matthew; El Karoui, Meriem
• Is Part Of: Molecular systems biology. Volume 18:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-27
• Subjects: bacterial physiology -- DNA repair -- single‐cell; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-4292

Abstract

Abstract: In natural environments, bacteria are frequently exposed to sub‐lethal levels of DNA damage, which leads to the induction of a stress response (the SOS response in Escherichia coli ). Natural environments also vary in nutrient availability, resulting in distinct physiological changes in bacteria, which may have direct implications on their capacity to repair their chromosomes. Here, we evaluated the impact of varying the nutrient availability on the expression of the SOS response induced by chronic sub‐lethal DNA damage in E. coli . We found heterogeneous expression of the SOS regulon at the single‐cell level in all growth conditions. Surprisingly, we observed a larger fraction of high SOS‐induced cells in slow growth as compared with fast growth, despite a higher rate of SOS induction in fast growth. The result can be explained by the dynamic balance between the rate of SOS induction and the division rates of cells exposed to DNA damage. Taken together, our data illustrate how cell division and physiology come together to produce growth‐dependent heterogeneity in the DNA damage response. SYNOPSIS: Bacteria experience various levels of nutrient availability and are often exposed to DNA damage. The DNA damage response (SOS response) is analyzed in Escherichia coli at the single‐cell level in several nutrient conditions. Heterogeneous SOS response is observed in all conditions. In slow‐growth conditions, while a lower rate of SOS induction is observed, a higher proportion of cells shows elevated SOS expression. This is a consequence of the dynamic balance between SOS induction and division rates of cells exposed to DNA damage. Abstract : Bacteria experience various levels of nutrient availability and are often exposed to DNA damage. The DNA damage response (SOS response) is analyzed in Escherichia coli at the single‐cell level in several nutrient conditions.