Repetitive DNA in search of a function - a study of telomeric and centromeric sequences in Chironomus
Repetitive DNA is quantitatively the main component of telomeres and centromeres, structures responsible for maintenance of the eukaryotic chromosome. The telomere is the specialized nucleoprotein complex that terminates linear chromosomes. In most species the DNA component consists of short repeats which are generated by the enzyme complex telomerase. However, there are important exceptions such