title: Molecular characterisation of a hypervariable region downstream of the human alpha-globin gene cluster.
abstract: We have characterised an unusual, highly polymorphic region of DNA located 8-kb downstream of the human alpha-globin gene complex. This hypervariable region (alpha-globin 3' HVR) is composed of an array of 17-bp tandem repeats, the number of which differs considerably (70-450) from one allele to another. The sequence of the 17-bp repeats is highly conserved within and between alleles. Furthermore, this sequence identifies a core oligonucleotide [5'-GNGGGG(N)ACAG-3'] that is common to three previously characterised hypervariable regions. At reduced stringency, a probe to the 3' HVR detects a new family of multiallelic loci that will be of value in the study of human genetics.
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D005796:Genes; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D005914:Globins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes