Bacterial ribosome heterogeneity facilitates rapid response to stress.

Bacteria live under constant pressure from external signals, necessitating a rapid capacity to reprogram their metabolism. The ribosome, once considered a uniform and static entity, is now recognized for its compositional heterogeneity. Despite its prevalence, the role of this heterogeneity in regulating bacterial translation remains incompletely understood. This review explores how ribosomal heterogeneity may serve as a conserved mechanism for fine-tuning gene expression, enabling swift adjustments to environmental stress. We present recent findings on the regulatory potential of ribosome heterogeneity and its broader implications for bacterial adaptation, pathogenesis, and the development of novel antimicrobial strategies.