Direct repeat
Direct repeats are a type of genetic sequence that consists of two or more repeats of a specific sequence.[1] In other words, the direct repeats are nucleotide sequences present in multiple copies in the genome. Generally, a direct repeat occurs when a sequence is repeated with the same pattern downstream.[1] There is no inversion[clarification needed] and no reverse complement associated with a direct repeat. It may or may not have intervening nucleotides. The nucleotide sequence written in bold characters signifies the repeated sequence.
- 5´ TTACGnnnnnnTTACG 3´
- 3´ AATGCnnnnnnAATGC 5´
Linguistically, a typical direct repeat is comparable to saying "bye-bye".[1]
Types
[edit | edit source]There are several types of repeated sequences:
- Interspersed (or dispersed) DNA repeats (interspersed repetitive sequences) are copies of transposable elements interspersed throughout the genome.
- Flanking (or terminal) repeats (terminal repeat sequences) are sequences that are repeated on both ends of a sequence, for example, the long terminal repeats (LTRs) on retroviruses. Direct terminal repeats are in the same direction and inverted terminal repeats are opposite to each other in direction.
- Tandem repeats (tandem repeat sequences) are repeated copies which lie adjacent to each other. These can also be direct or inverted repeats.[citation needed] The ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA genes belong to the class of middle repetitive DNA.
Microsatellite DNA
[edit | edit source]A tract of repetitive DNA in which a motif of a few base pairs is tandemly repeated numerous times (e.g. 5 to 50 times) is referred to as microsatellite DNA. Thus direct repeat tandem sequences are a form of microsattelite DNA. The process of DNA mismatch repair plays a prominent role in the formation of direct trinucleotide repeat expansions.[2] Such repeat expansions underlie several neurological and developmental disorders in humans.[2]
Homologous recombination
[edit | edit source]In directly repeated sequences of the tobacco plant genome, DNA double-strand breaks can be efficiently repaired by homologous recombination between the repeated sequences.[3]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
 | This genetics article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |