RNA, Small Interfering (also known as Interfering RNA, Small, siRNA): Small double-stranded, non-protein coding RNAs (21-31 nucleotides) involved in GENE SILENCING functions, especially RNA INTERFERENCE (RNAi). Endogenously, siRNAs are generated from dsRNAs (RNA, DOUBLE-STRANDED) by the same ribonuclease, Dicer, that g
NIH MeSH · D034741Chemicals and Drugs
RNA, Small Interfering
Also known asInterfering RNA, Small · siRNA · Small Interfering RNA · Short Interfering RNA · Interfering RNA, Short · RNA, Short Interfering · Scan RNA · RNA, Scan · scnRNA · Small Scan RNA · RNA, Small Scan · Scan RNA, Small
Definition
Small double-stranded, non-protein coding RNAs (21-31 nucleotides) involved in GENE SILENCING functions, especially RNA INTERFERENCE (RNAi). Endogenously, siRNAs are generated from dsRNAs (RNA, DOUBLE-STRANDED) by the same ribonuclease, Dicer, that generates miRNAs (MICRORNAS). The perfect match of the siRNAs' antisense strand to their target RNAs mediates RNAi by siRNA-guided RNA cleavage. siRNAs fall into different classes including trans-acting siRNA (tasiRNA), repeat-associated RNA (rasiRNA), small-scan RNA (scnRNA), and Piwi protein-interacting RNA (piRNA) and have different specific gene silencing functions.
MeSH classification
D13.150.650.700
D13.444.735.150.700
D13.444.735.790.552.875
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What does RNA, Small Interfering mean in medicine?
Small double-stranded, non-protein coding RNAs (21-31 nucleotides) involved in GENE SILENCING functions, especially RNA INTERFERENCE (RNAi). Endogenously, siRNAs are generated from dsRNAs (RNA, DOUBLE-STRANDED) by the same ribonuclease, Dicer, that generates miRNAs (MICRORNAS). The perfect match of the siRNAs' antisense strand to their target RNAs mediates RNAi by siRNA-guided RNA cleavage. siRNAs fall into different classes including trans-acting siRNA (tasiRNA), repeat-associated RNA (rasiRNA), small-scan RNA (scnRNA), and Piwi protein-interacting RNA (piRNA) and have different specific gene silencing functions. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is RNA, Small Interfering known by any other names?
Yes. RNA, Small Interfering is also referred to as Interfering RNA, Small, siRNA, Small Interfering RNA, Short Interfering RNA in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does RNA, Small Interfering sit in the medical classification?
RNA, Small Interfering falls under the broader medical category "Chemicals and Drugs" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: D13.150.650.700, D13.444.735.150.700, D13.444.735.790.552.875). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of RNA, Small Interfering?
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