microsatellite

Definition of microsatellite

microsatellite

(MY-kroh-SA-teh-lite)
A short sequence of DNA, usually 1 to 4 basepairs (a unit of DNA), that is repeated together in a row along the DNA molecule. There is variation from person to person in the number of repeats. There are hundreds of places in human DNA that contain microsatellites.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms