Metabolism of non-growing bacteria

Biol Chem. 2020 Nov 26;401(12):1479-1485. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2020-0201.

Abstract

A main function of bacterial metabolism is to supply biomass building blocks and energy for growth. This seems to imply that metabolism is idle in non-growing bacteria. But how relevant is metabolism for the physiology of non-growing bacteria and how active is their metabolism? Here, we reviewed literature describing metabolism of non-growing bacteria in their natural environment, as well as in biotechnological and medical applications. We found that metabolism does play an important role during dormancy and that especially the demand for ATP determines metabolic activity of non-growing bacteria.

Keywords: antibiotics; industrial biotechnology; metabolism; non-growing bacteria; starvation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / analysis
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Biotechnology

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate