Satellite DNA Genomics: The Ongoing Story

Tandemly repeated non-coding sequences, widely known as satellite DNAs (satDNAs), are extremely diverse and highly variable components of eukaryotic genomes. In recent years, advances in high-throughput sequencing and new bioinformatics platforms have enabled in-depth studies of all (or nearly all) tandem repeats in any genome (the satellitome), while a growing number of telomere-to-telomere assemblies facilitates their detailed mapping. Research performed on a large number of non-model plant and animal species changed significantly the "classical" view on these sequences, both in an organizational and functional sense, from ballast compacted in the form of heterochromatin to elements that are important for structuring the entire genome, as well as for its functions and evolution. The diversity of repeat families, and the complexity of their intraspecies and interspecies distribution patterns, posed new questions, urging for species-by-species comparative analyses. Here we integrate some basic features of different forms of sequences repeated in tandem and rapidly growing data evidencing extensive dispersal of satDNA sequences in euchromatin, their putative roles and evolutionary significance. Importantly, we also present and discuss various issues brought on by the use of new methodological approaches and point out potential threats to the analysis of satDNAs and satellitomes.