Navigation Links
Microsatellite


This article is about the DNA sequence. See miniaturized satellites for orbiting artificial satellites with a mass of less than 100Kg.

A microsatellite is a short, noncoding DNA sequence (a Tandemly Repetitive DNA sequence) that is repeated many times within the genome of an organism. Many repeats tend to be concentrated at the same locus.

In a microsatellite, the repeated sequence is very simple, consisting of two to four nucleotides, and can be repeated 10 to 100 times. Hence if one sequenced a microsatellite locus, one would expect to see a sequence of "TAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTAG..."

The number of repeats at a particular locus is hypervariable (highly polymorphic) between individuals of the same species. It is for this reason that microsatellite sequences can be used for genetic fingerprinting and paternity testing. Most loci of the genome, even non-coding parts, would be too similar to allow individuals to be reliably distinguished.

The hypervariability arises because the repeated simple sequences cause a high frequency of loss or insertion of additional repeats by confusing the DNA replication machinery. Self-complementary sequences may aid this process.

In tumour cells, where controls on replication may be damaged, microsatellites may be gained or lost at an especially high frequency during each round of mitosis. Hence a tumour cell line might show a different genetic fingerprint from that of the host tissue.

See also: minisatellite, mobile element , transposon, short interspersed repetitive element , long interspersed repetitive element , junk DNA, selfish DNA


'"/>


(Date:5/21/2013)... way genes function without changing the underlying DNA ... of pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing ... weeks after giving birth, and an opportunity to ... of the small study involving 52 pregnant women ... Psychiatry . , "Postpartum depression can be harmful ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... popularly known as the lungs of the planet, inhales carbon ... the air to grow parts that eventually fall to the ... plentiful rainfall. , Until recently people believed much of ... ended up deep in the ocean. University of Washington research ... carbon dioxide though left open the question of how ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... conducted at the University of Bristol and published online ... sheds light on how the brain and inner ear ... School of Earth Sciences, together with Tom Hbner from ... of 150 million year old dinosaurs. , The two ... Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki : a very young (juvenile) individual ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 3Amazon River exhales virtually all carbon taken up by rain forest 2Amazon River exhales virtually all carbon taken up by rain forest 3Fossil brain teaser 2
... among his most vibrant and celebrated works, Vincent van Gogh,s ... basis has, until now, been a mystery. In a study ... of Georgia scientists reveal the mutation behind the distinctive, thick ... more than 100 years ago. The most common sunflower ...
... A DICER protein, known to produce tiny RNAs in ... according to research on Arabidopsis thaliana . ... transcribed into a useable product, requires activation via a promoter ... Science helps to show that later stages of ...
... A team of international scientists working in the central Pacific ... the past is more likely to survive it in the ... PLoS ONE , paves the way towards an important road ... scientists identify the habitats and locations where coral reefs are ...
Cached Biology News:Genetic mutation depicted in van Gogh's sunflower paintings revealed by scientists 2Plant research reveals new role for gene silencing protein 2Some corals like it hot: Heat stress may help coral reefs survive climate change 2
Other biology definitionOther Tags