The Erm rRNA methyltransferase superfamily represents the most prevalent determinant of MLS resistance in nosocomial Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Previous studies have established that erm expression is primarily governed by upstream ribosome stalling peptide and the 5′ untranslated regions. Using the widespread S. aureus ermBL-ermB (ermB+) operon as a model system, we unexpectedly identified second-site mutations in purR that synergistically enhance MLS resistance in an ermB+ background. Loss of purR function derepresses nucleotide biosynthesis and ribosome production, thereby promoting bacterial growth under antibiotic stress. While numerous purR single-nucleotide polymorphisms across multiple species have been associated with antibiotic resistance, no study has directly linked these sequence polymorphisms to their regulatory function. Our results highlight the critical role of ribosome abundance and nucleotide metabolism in shaping antibiotic efficacy.

Kohl et al. combine high-resolution Ribo-seq and cryo electron microscopy to show that the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus uses extended Shine-Dalgarno motifs to initiate translation, which can m...

Han et al. demonstrate that binding of eIF3 to distinct sites in mRNA 5′ UTRs mediates chaperone recruitment to translating 80S ribosomes. This recruitment is essential for the correct folding of nascent ER membrane proteins, indicating that instructions for ER membrane protein folding are hardwired in the genome.

Abstract. Accurate protein synthesis requires ribosomes to integrate signals from distant functional sites and execute complex dynamics. Despite advances i

A new lasso peptide antibiotic exhibits broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis, is unaffected by common resistanc...

Abstract. Modifications of RNA, known as the epitranscriptome, affect gene expression, translation, and splicing in eukaryotes, with implications for devel

Ali et al. report that multiple 12q-amplified genes collaborate with AKT in sarcomagenesis, including METTL1. This oncogenic function of METTL1 is independent of its methyltransferase activity. METTL1...