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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