Definition
These are the variations brought about by a variable number of tandemly repeated DNA sequences. The repeat motif is generally two to nine base pairs in length. It is represented as (CA)n repeat, where n is the variable between alleles. The variable number of repeats is seen due to strand slippage during DNA replication. The variations in repeat numbers are responsible for variable gene expression as well as creating poor and hypermetabolizer phenotypes in individuals. They can be polymorphic in the population (meaning that two individuals in the population would not share the same genetic profile for microsatellite markers) and, hence, used as landmarks on the genome for genotyping populations. They are also extensively used in forensic science.
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Brahmachari, V., Jain, S. (2013). Microsatellite Repeats. In: Dubitzky, W., Wolkenhauer, O., Cho, KH., Yokota, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Systems Biology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9863-7_868
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9863-7_868
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-9862-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-9863-7
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