engleski

Satellite DNA sequences in centromeric heterochromatin

Satellite DNAs are highly reiterated non-coding sequences, organized as long arrays of tandem repeats that represent major DNA constituents of heterochromatic genomic compartments. In centromeric heterochromatin satellite repeats build long domains that stretch over regions of functional centromere. Characteristics of satellite repeats such as conserved sequence motifs, higher-order structural characteristics of DNA helix axis, sequential arrangement of repeating units and monomer length represent information necessary for binding of specific heterochromatic proteins and dense packing of heterochromatin structure. In short evolutionary periods satellite DNA components often change rapidly in copy number, nucleotide sequence, or both. Rapid evolution of satellite profiles in centromeric heterochromatin can cause reduced fertility of hybrids, thus acting as a trigger in speciation process.

tandem repetitive sequences; non-coding DNA; genome organization; evolution; speciation; centromere

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