Piwi-interacting RNA

Function

• largest class of human small non-coding RNA molecules
• piRNAs form RNA-protein complexes with piwi proteins
• piRNA-Piwi protein complexes are linked to both epigenetic & post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons & other genetic elements in germ line cells
• distinct from microRNA (miRNA)
  • size: (26-31 nucleotides vs 21-24 nucleotides)
  • lack of sequence conservation

More general terms

• ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Additional terms

• P-element induced wimpy testis in Drosophila; Piwi domain; Sting domain; Piwi box
• Piwi-like protein 4 (PIWIL4, HILI2, PIWI)