Tandem Repeat - Terminology

Terminology

When between 10 and 60 nucleotides are repeated, it is called a minisatellite. Those with fewer are known as microsatellites or short tandem repeats.

When exactly two nucleotides are repeated, it is called a dinucleotide repeat (for example: ACACACAC…). The microsatellite instability in hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer most commonly affects such regions.

When three nucleotides are repeated, it is called a trinucleotide repeat (for example: CAGCAGCAGCAG…), and abnormalities in such regions can give rise to trinucleotide repeat disorders.

When the number is not known, variable, or irrelevant, it is sometimes called a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). MeSH classifies variable number tandem repeats under minisatellites.