Direct repeats are a type of genetic sequence that consists of two or more repeats of a specific sequence.[1] In other words, the direct repeats are nucleotide sequences present in multiple copies in the genome. Generally, a direct repeat occurs when a sequence is repeated with the same pattern downstream.[1] There is no inversion[clarification needed] and no reverse complement associated with a direct repeat. It may or may not have intervening nucleotides. The nucleotide sequence written in bold characters signifies the repeated sequence.
Linguistically, a typical direct repeat is comparable to saying "bye-bye".[1]
There are several types of repeated sequences :
A tract of repetitive DNA in which a motif of a few base pairs is tandemly repeated numerous times (e.g. 5 to 50 times) is referred to as microsatellite DNA. Thus direct repeat tandem sequences are a form of microsattelite DNA. The process of DNA mismatch repair plays a prominent role in the formation of direct trinucleotide repeat expansions.[2] Such repeat expansions underlie several neurological and developmental disorders in humans.[2]
In directly repeated sequences of the tobacco plant genome, DNA double-strand breaks can be efficiently repaired by homologous recombination between the repeated sequences.[3]