MICROSATELLITE REPEAT Meaning and
Definition
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Microsatellite repeats, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), are short DNA sequences consisting of repeating units of two to six nucleotides. These repetitive sequences are scattered throughout the genomes of various organisms, including humans. Microsatellite repeats are characterized by their high polymorphism, meaning that the number of repeats can vary between individuals, making them valuable for genetic analysis and population studies.
The repetitive nature of microsatellite repeats arises from errors during DNA replication and repair mechanisms, resulting in the expansion or contraction of repeats. These repeats are usually found in non-coding regions of the genome, such as introns, intergenic regions, and telomeres, but can also occur within coding regions.
Microsatellite repeats have found numerous applications in various fields of research. For instance, they are extensively used in genetic mapping, forensic analysis, and paternity testing due to their high variability. By analyzing the number and pattern of repeats at specific microsatellite loci, scientists can identify unique genetic profiles for individuals or populations.
However, the high mutation rate of microsatellite repeats can also lead to genetic disorders when repeated expansions occur within coding regions. For example, trinucleotide repeat expansions cause diseases like Huntington's disease and fragile X syndrome. These disorders result from the instability and abnormal expansion of specific microsatellite repeats, which can interfere with gene expression and protein function.
In summary, microsatellite repeats are short, repetitive DNA sequences with two to six nucleotide units. They exhibit high polymorphism and find applications in genetic research, forensic analysis, and disease diagnosis.
Common Misspellings for MICROSATELLITE REPEAT
- m icrosatellite repeat
- mi crosatellite repeat
- mic rosatellite repeat
- micr osatellite repeat
- micro satellite repeat
- micros atellite repeat
- microsa tellite repeat
- microsat ellite repeat
- microsate llite repeat
- microsatel lite repeat
- microsatell ite repeat
- microsatelli te repeat
- microsatellit e repeat
- microsatellite r epeat
- microsatellite repe at
- microsatellite repea t
Etymology of MICROSATELLITE REPEAT
The word "microsatellite" originates from the combination of two terms: "micro" and "satellite".
- Micro: The prefix "micro-" derives from the Greek word "mikros", meaning small or minute. In the context of genetics, it refers to a small-scale or short segment of DNA.
- Satellite: In genetics, a satellite DNA is a DNA sequence that is repeated many times and flanks the main DNA sequence. It was named so because these sequences are positioned near the primary DNA sequence similar to how a satellite orbits a planet.
Regarding the term "repeat", it is used to describe these specific segments of DNA because microsatellites are defined by the repeating pattern of a short DNA sequence. These repetitions are typically 1-6 base pairs long and can be repeated a variable number of times in a row.
