Dynamic tRNA modification programs align codon usage with growth-phase-specific gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Dynamic tRNA modifications in Pseudomonas aeruginosa coordinate with growth phases, with GidA-dependent mnm5s2U modifications peaking during early growth and aligning with virulence gene expression.

• Why it matters: Understanding how bacterial gene expression adapts during growth is crucial for insights into pathogenicity and adaptation, yet the temporal regulation of tRNA modifications remains unclear.
• What they did: Using time-resolved nanopore tRNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, transcriptomics, and proteomics, the study tracked tRNA modifications and gene expression across the growth cycle, focusing on GidA-dependent modifications.
• The result: The findings reveal a sequential, feedforward program where tRNA modifications anticipate translational needs, especially for horizontally acquired genes, enabling rapid adaptation and virulence expression.