HSATII DNA

**Semantic type:** Gene or Genome

**Definition:** Human HSATII is comprised of an approximately 26 bp tandem repeat sequence that is the main component of pericentromeric heterochromatin located on chromosomes 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, and Y; additionally large (5-6 Mb) blocks of this repeat are located at 1q12 and on chromosome 16. This satellite DNA is not expressed in normal cells. Aberrant expression and translation of HSATII RNA, which occurs when the sequence is demethylated, is associated with various cancers and may result in sequestration of transcription regulation proteins.

**Synonyms:** - HSAT-II DNA - Human Satellite II Repeat DNA