Bacterial dormancy: strategies and molecular mechanisms for a sleeping beauty system

Bacterial dormancy is a state of decreased metabolic activity that allows bacteria to survive in harsh environments. Bacterial dormancy is a reversible metabolic shutdown; it is nonreplicating state of cell which enable them to survive under unfavorable conditions. Dormancy is facilitated by molecular mechanisms that involve signaling pathways, translational and transcriptional regulation, and metabolic shifts. Persisted cells, which are highly tolerant to antibiotics, are formed during dormancy, posing a significant challenge in the treatment of bacterial infections. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of dormancy is crucial for developing strategies to control bacterial persistence and advance antibiotic discovery. Sporulation is the purest form of microbial dormancy. Spores are highly resistant to stresses such as antibiotics, extreme heat, chemicals, and radiation, and can survive. Dormant bacteria in blood are not growing but dormant microbiome which can significantly take part in large diverse of chronic inflammatory diseases. This review discusses the importance, molecular mechanisms, and strategies for entering a dormant state, and explores the molecular and physiological changes that occur during dormancy. Additionally, it sheds light on methods for identification and investigation of dormant bacteria that may help overcoming drug resistance and chronic infections.