What is the Origin of (TAAAA)n Microsatellite?

The term originates from molecular genetics, combining the specific nucleotide sequence T-A-A-A-A with the descriptive term 'microsatellite,' which refers to the short, repetitive nature of the DNA segment. The 'n' denotes the variable number of repeats, signifying the segment's length variability. The discovery of microsatellites as polymorphic markers revolutionized genetic mapping and association studies in the latter half of the 20th century.

What is the Mechanism of (TAAAA)n Microsatellite?

As a microsatellite, its primary mechanism is the potential influence of its variable repeat length on the expression or regulation of nearby genes, though it may not code for a protein itself. Changes in the 'n' value can alter chromatin structure or transcription factor binding, subtly modulating the expression levels of critical endocrine genes. This genetic variability contributes to individual differences in hormonal responses and overall health phenotypes, which is a key area of precision medicine.

(TAAAA)n Microsatellite ∞ Area

(TAAAA)n Microsatellite

Meaning

A specific type of short tandem repeat (STR) DNA sequence found in the human genome, characterized by the motif TAAAA repeated ‘n’ times. This genetic marker is a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) which exhibits polymorphism among individuals. Its length variation is a subject of investigation in genetic studies related to various physiological processes.