Global proteolysis during starvation governs proteome remodeling and a survival-regrowth trade-off in bacteria.

Global proteolysis during starvation in Escherichia coli drives proteome remodeling and a survival-regrowth trade-off, with SPD supplying amino acids and ATP for stress protein synthesis.

• Why it matters: Understanding how bacteria sustain protein synthesis without nutrient influx reveals mechanisms of survival during starvation, which is crucial for controlling bacterial persistence and resilience.
• What they did: The study used molecular and genetic approaches to show that carbon starvation triggers a two-phase proteome remodeling process dependent on SPD, involving YeaG and RpoS regulation, with a focus on amino acid recycling and stress protein production.
• The result: SPD enhances survival by promoting stress protein synthesis but causes a lag before regrowth, indicating a trade-off between energy conservation during starvation and rapid recovery upon nutrient availability.