Tandem DNA repeats in the vertebrate genome: structure, possible mechanisms of formation and evolution]

Possible models for the generation and the evolution of tandem repeats are discussed. The model of A.J. Jeffreys and co-workers as well as facts, supporting or contradicting this model are discussed. Facts supporting the hypothesis of the generation of the tandem repeats as the result of mitotic recombination are described. On the basis of an analysis of the structure of the tandem repeats containing loci, it is supposed that there exist space and time relations between the multimerization of the tandem repeats and tandem gene duplication. On the basis of this supposition, the generation of majority of the tandem repeated gene as a result of sister chromatids recombination in mitosis is proposed. Factors determining the existence of recombination hotspots of are discussed. Some specific features of the evolution of tandem repeats of the coding region are also described.