The database and the connector are 2 different things. The newest Connector is version 5.2, but the newest version of MySql database that is official is 5.0. 5.1 is a release candidate version but not a final release.
Maybe, upgrading to the 5.2 Connector will solve the problem people are having using the 5.1 database. I have upgraded to this version in svn trunk if anyone wants to try it and tell me if it solved the problem of using mojoPortal with MySql 5.1.
Best,
Joe