Trinucleotide repeats and other microsatellites in yeasts

Microsatellites are direct tandem DNA repeats found in all genomes. A parti cular class of microsatellites, called trinucleotide repeats, is responsibl e for a number of neurological disorders in humans. We review here our curr ent state of knowledge on trinucleotide repeat instability, and discuss the molecular mechanisms that may be involved in trinucleotide repeat expansio ns leading to fatal diseases in humans. We also present original data on mi crosatellite distribution in several microbial genomes, and on the use of m icrosatellites as physical markers to accurately and easily genotype yeast strains. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.