The mgm101 gene was identified as essential for maintenance of the mitochondrial genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [1]. Based on its DNA-binding activity, and experimental work with a temperature-sensitive mgm101 mutant, it has been proposed that the mgm101 gene product performs an essential function in the repair of oxidatively damaged mitochondrial DNA [2].

1: MGM101, a nuclear gene involved in maintenance of the mitochondrial genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Chen XJ, Guan MX, Clark-Walker GD; Nucleic Acids Res 1993;21:3473-3477. PMID:8346025

2: Mgm101p is a novel component of the mitochondrial nucleoid that binds DNA and is required for the repair of oxidatively damaged mitochondrial DNA. Meeusen S, Tieu Q, Wong E, Weiss E, Schieltz D, Yates JR, Nunnari J; J Cell Biol 1999;145:291-304. PMID:10209025