Definition: Minisatellites are usually defined as the repetition in tandem of a short (6- to 100-bp) motif spanning 0.5 kb to several kilobases. Although the first examples described 20 years ago were of human origin, similar DNA structures have been found in many organisms including bacteria. Comparisons of the repeat units in classical minisatellites led early on to the notion of consensus or core sequences, which exhibit some similarities with the χ sequence of λ phage (GCTGTGG). In general, the majority of classical minisatellites are GC rich, with a strong strand asymmetry.
Context: In the class of repeated sequences that occur in DNA, minisatellites have been found polymorphic and became useful tools in genetic mapping and forensic studies. They consist of a heterogeneous tandem array of a short repeat unit. The slightly different units along the array are called variants. Minisatellites evolve mainly through tandem duplications and tandem deletions of variants.
Expression: Spectrum of minisatellite mutants in sperm.
Weighting mark: nor
Sources:
Term: EMERY, A. (2009), Elementos de genética médica. Barcelona: Ed. Elsevier, 13ª Edición. (Revisión científica a cargo del Dr. Rafael Oliva Virgili).
Definition: PICCA, A., HELGUERA, M. SALOMÓN, N. y CARRERA, A. (2004). Biotecnología y Mejoramiento Vegetal. Parte II. “Capítulo 4: Marcadores Moleculares.” Ediciones INTA. Recuperado el 24/11/2013: http://www.biblioteca.org.ar/libros/150407.pdf
Context: CARRACEDO, Á. (1996) La variabilidad genética de los micro y minisatélites y su aplicación en medicina legal. En Repositorio de la Universidad de A Coruña: http://ruc.udc.es/dspace/bitstream/2183/9461/1/CC_21_art_7.pdf Recuperado el 24 de noviembre de 2013.