Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

The MGD18 locus in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 comprises four closely related genes (MGD18_001, MGD18_002, MGD18_003, and MGD18_004) arranged in a tandem array. These genes encode proteins integral to DNA metabolism, including a DNA helicase, DNA recombinase, DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase, respectively. The high sequence conservation of these genes across different Acinetobacter baylyi strains suggests their essential role in bacterial DNA maintenance. This paper hypothesizes that the MGD18 genes are involved in gene amplification, a process critical for bacterial adaptability and survival. The proposed roles of these genes are supported by homology to well-characterized genes in Escherichia coli. Experimental validation through null mutation and Ben reversion assays is suggested to elucidate their contribution to DNA replication and repair, thereby confirming their involvement in gene amplification.