Synonyms: satellite DNA, short tandem repeats

A segment of DNA two to five nucleotides in length (di-, tri-, tetra-, or pentanucleotide repeats) typically repeated five to 50 times or more. Microsatellite DNA is dispersed throughout the genome in noncoding regions between genes or within genes (i.e., in introns). Microsatellite DNA is inherently unstable and susceptible to mutation.