adbcneq0

adbcneq0 is a small hypothetical protein-coding gene identified in the draft genome of the bacterium *Acinetobacter baumannii*. Its open reading frame spans 750 base pairs, encoding a predicted 250‑amino‑acid polypeptide. Bioinformatic analysis of the gene indicates that the translated protein contains a conserved domain similar to glycosyltransferase family 2 proteins, suggesting a potential role in cell wall synthesis or modification.

Expression of adbcneq0 has been detected in laboratory strains of *A. baumannii* under nutrient‑limited growth conditions, though no significant up‑regulation was observed during exposure to common antibiotics such as carbapenems or aminoglycosides. Knockout mutants in the *adbcneq0* locus exhibit a modest reduction in colony‑forming efficiency and a slight decrease in resistance to high‑salt environments, implying that the gene may contribute to osmoregulation or stress tolerance.

Phylogenetic surveys show that adbcneq0 homologs are present in several related species within the *Acinetobacter* genus, but are absent from distantly related Gram‑negative bacteria, indicating a relatively narrow evolutionary distribution. Functional studies are ongoing; researchers are employing CRISPR‑Cas9 mediated gene editing, transcriptomics, and metabolite profiling to clarify the biological role of adbcneq0 and assess its potential as a target for novel antimicrobial strategies.