original_query: What is mecA and what is its function in bacterial cells?
query: What is mecA and what is its function in bacterial cells?
answer: mecA is a gene found in bacterial cells that confers resistance to antibiotics like methicillin and penicillin. It encodes the protein PBP2A, a transpeptidase with lower affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics, allowing bacterial cell wall synthesis even in the presence of these antibiotics.