Hypervariable 'minisatellite' regions in human DNA

Nature. 1985 Mar;314(6006):67-73. doi: 10.1038/314067a0.

Abstract

The human genome contains many dispersed tandem-repetitive 'minisatellite' regions detected via a shared 10-15-base pair 'core' sequence similar to the generalized recombination signal (chi) of Escherichia coli. Many minisatellites are highly polymorphic due to allelic variation in repeat copy number in the minisatellite. A probe based on a tandem-repeat of the core sequence can detect many highly variable loci simultaneously and can provide an individual-specific DNA 'fingerprint' of general use in human genetic analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Genetic Variation
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Pedigree
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid*

Substances

  • DNA, Satellite