Fig. 1

Indole derivatives kill E. coli persister cells. Escherichia coli K-12 BW25113 cells were exposed to rifampicin (100 μg mL⁻¹) to induce persister cells. Indole or indole derivatives at 2 mM were then administered for 3 h at 37 °C and 250 rpm, and cell viabilities were determined. All indole compounds were dissolved in DMSO, and DMSO was used as the control (none). For the most active compounds, 5-iodoindole and 4-fluoroindole, two concentrations (1 and 2 mM) were tested. The experiment was performed in duplicate