[Interindividual hyperpolymorphism of autosomal satellites III of human DNA]

Hypervariability of DNA restriction fragments from pericentromeric heterochromatin detected by autosomal "classic" DNA of satellite III has been demonstrated in this work. Using hybridization probe of satellite III DNA localized predominantly on the chromosome 9 strong interindividual differences in the sets of polymorphic DNA restriction fragments inherited from both paternal and maternal sides as well as intraspecies amplifications of some variants of the satellite III were observed. The number and intensity of restriction bands are identical in both sexes. It is suggested that strong interindividual DNA variability may be largely specified by high level of DNA spot mutability in satellites III. Pericentromeric "classic" satellites III may serve as efficient markers for identification of individuals and for molecular-genetic mapping of human genome pericentromeric regions.