ATPase essential both for efficient CtsR-dependent gene derepression during heat stress and for rerepression. Together with ClpP, degrades the global regulator CtsR after heat shock. Is also involved in disaggregation of heat-denatured proteins. Has thus a role in overall protein quality control in response to heat stress. Interacts with ClpP. By heat shock via the relief of repression carried out by the transcriptional regulator CtsR. ClpE is a very short-lived protein, that is, at least in the soluble cell fraction, degraded mainly by ClpCP. Cells lacking this gene display a retardation of CtsR-dependent gene induction as well as a delayed restoration of the repressed stage. They also show a significant delay in disaggregation of heat-generated insoluble protein aggregates. Belongs to the ClpA/ClpB family. ClpE subfamily.