Chemicals and Drugs

Satellite DNA

Highly repetitive DNA sequences found in HETEROCHROMATIN, mainly near centromeres. They are composed of simple sequences (very short) (see MINISATELLITE REPEATS) repeated in tandem many times to form large blocks of sequence. Additionally, following the accumulation of mutations, these blocks of repeats have been repeated in tandem themselves. The degree of repetition is on the order of 1000 to 10 million at each locus. Loci are few, usually one or two per chromosome. They were called satellites since in density gradients, they often sediment as distinct, satellite bands separate from the bulk of genomic DNA owing to a distinct BASE COMPOSITION.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Highly repetitive DNA sequences found in HETEROCHROMATIN, mainly near centromeres. They are composed of simple sequences (very short) (see MINISATELLITE REPEATS) repeated in tandem many times to form large blocks of sequence. Additionally, following the accumulation of mutations, these blocks of repeats have been repeated in tandem themselves. The degree of repetition is on the order of 1000 to 10 million at each locus. Loci are few, usually one or two per chromosome. They were called satellites since in density gradients, they often sediment as distinct, satellite bands separate from the bulk of genomic DNA owing to a distinct BASE COMPOSITION.

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Synonyms

9 entry terms
  • DNA, Satellite
  • DNAs, Satellite
  • Satellite DNAs
  • Satellite I DNA
  • DNA, Satellite I
  • DNAs, Satellite I
  • I DNA, Satellite
  • I DNAs, Satellite
  • Satellite I DNAs

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

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History Note

80(75); was see under DNA 1975-79

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Previous Indexing

  • DNA (1966-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D13.444w.308w.480w
  2. G02.111.570.080w.708w.800w.150w
  3. G05.360w.080w.708w.800w.150w
  4. G05.360w.340w.024.220w.150w
  5. G05.360w.340w.024.850w.150w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 58.5

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Satellite DNA. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004276. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004276
  2. Satellite DNA. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_DNA
  3. Satellite DNA. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425319