Genes implicated in persistence

Fauvart et al. (2011) provides an exhaustive overview of genes implicated in persistence. They divide the genes into true persister genes (mutants which exhibit the same MIC as wild type), probable persister genes (MIC values were not determined) and probable persister or resistant genes (MIC different from that of wild type).

True persister genes include hipBA, glpD, glpABC, plsB, dnaK, dksA, apaH, surA, ygfA, ygfB, yigB, hupB, yafQ, tisAB, istR-1, istR-2 and ihfB in E.coli., relA, relA spoT, rpoS, rpoN, lasR, lasI, ding, spuC, edpA, fosA, glpT, algR, ycgM, pheA, plH and yfiR in P.aerogenosa and vcnS in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Probable persister genes include lexA3, recA13, hhA, hokA, cspD, mqsR, ybfM, hfq, recA, recB, xerC, xerD, relE, dnaJ, pmrC, oppA and mazF/chpAI in E.coli, relE2 and relE3 in M. tuberculosis. 

Probable persister/resistant genes include phoU, phoY2, sucB and ubiF.

Even though hipA or tisB are best studies persister genes, neither hipA not tisB is present in the genomes of M. tuberculosis, P. aeruginosa or S. aureus (Fauvert et al. 2011).

So, how specific is the role of hipA or other genes in persistence?

Fauvart et al. (2011). Role of persister cells in chronic infections: clinical relevance and perspectives on anti-persister therapies. J Med Microbiol 60(6): 699-709.