D5S818

D5S818 is a DNA marker located on chromosome 5 in humans. It is a microsatellite, meaning it consists of short DNA sequences repeated multiple times. Specifically, D5S818 is characterized by a repeat of the AGAT motif. The number of these repeats can vary significantly between individuals, making it a useful genetic marker for identification purposes.

The variability in the number of AGAT repeats at the D5S818 locus is due to errors that occur during DNA replication. When the DNA is copied, the polymerase enzyme can sometimes slip and add or skip repeats, leading to different lengths of the microsatellite in different people. This genetic variation is inherited from parents, with each individual receiving one copy of the marker from each parent.

Due to its high degree of polymorphism, D5S818 has been widely used in various genetic studies and forensic applications. It has been employed in paternity testing, individual identification in criminal investigations, and in population genetics research to study genetic diversity and relatedness within and between different populations. The precise location of D5S818 is within the q arm of chromosome 5.