Abstract
A polymorphic (TGCG)n, tetranucleotide repeat was discovered juxtaposed to the (GT)n dinucleotide repeat that comprises the tumor necrosis factor a microsatellite (TNF) located telomeric to the tumor necrosis factor/lymphotoxin gene cluster. The degree of complexity of this compound tetra-,dinucleotide microsatellite consists of 16 potential alleles of combined length ranging from 24 to 54 bp. The pattern of frequencies of individual alleles belonging to the compound TNFa microsatellite was established from 52 healthy volunteers and was found to be highly heterogeneous. The data diverges significantly from previously published statistics that recognized only a simple variable dinucleotide tandem repeat. The newly recognized compound tetra-, dinucleotide TNFa microsatellite polymorphism establishes a more accurate genetic basis to explore potential linkage with disease susceptibility genes located within this region of the class III major histocompatibility complex. In addition, variable tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin production may reflect the more complex polymorphic nature of this microsatellite region. Finally, compound microsatellites probably exist elsewhere, throughout the human genome. Recognition of their presence may have a considerable impact on the validity of past and future microsatellite-based genetic analyses.