Self-amplification of satellite DNA in vitro

Abstract

We describe a PCR-like reaction in which genomic DNA acts as a template as well as a primer. Interaction between genomic tandem repeat units leads to self-amplification of satellite DNA. This genomic self-priming PCR (GSP-PCR) allowed the rapid amplification of species-specific tandem repeats of horse, cattle, dolphin, and chicken. A novel specific satellite of ostrich with a repeat unit of 60 bp was isolated using this method.Key words: satellite DNA, amplification, isolation, species-specific probes.