piRNA全名Piwi-interacting RNA,是一类小型非编码RNA分子,长度大约是29到30个核苷酸。在许多动物(包括无脊椎动物)的生殖腺中都有被发现,并且可以和PIWI蛋白结合形成piRNA复合物(piRNA complexes,piRCs)。与RNA沉默(RNA silencing)作用有关。
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