piRNA全名Piwi-interacting RNA,是一類小型非編碼RNA分子,長度大約是29到30個核苷酸。在許多動物(包括無脊椎動物)的生殖腺中都有被發現,並且可以和PIWI蛋白結合形成piRNA複合物(piRNA complexes,piRCs)。與RNA沉默(RNA silencing)作用有關。
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