In genetics, macrosatellites are the largest of the tandem repeats within DNA. Each macrosatellite repeat typically is several thousand base pairs in length, and the entire repeat array often spans hundreds of kilobases. Reduced number of repeats on chromosome 4 (D4Z4 repeats) causes euchromatization of local DNA and is the predominant cause of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Other macrosatellites are RS447, NBL2 and DXZ4, although RS447 is also commonly referred to as a "megasatellite."
+ Macrosatellite repeats Name Chromosome Repeat size (kbp) Repeat number Encoded genes Non-coding RNA Clinical relevance D4Z4 4, 10 3.3 1-150 DUX4 DBE-T FSHD DXZ4 X 3 50-100 None X-inactivation RS447 4 4.7 20-103 USP17 NBL2 13, 14, 15, 21 1.4 Not determined None TNBL cancer RNU2 17 6.1 5-82 None TAF11-Like 5 3.4 10-98 TAF11 possibly schizophrenia CT47 X 4.8 4-17 CT47
See also Microsatellite Minisatellite Satellite DNA
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