σ因子（sigma factor），原核生物RNA聚合酶上的一个亚基。可以协助聚合酶与模板链上的启动子专一性的识别并结合，极大地提高聚合酶对DNA启动子区的结合力。

A sigma factor (σ factor) is a protein needed only for initiation of RNA synthesis. It is a bacterial transcription initiation factor that enables specific binding of RNA polymerase to gene promoters. The specific sigma factor used to initiate transcription of a given gene will vary, depending on the gene and on the environmental signals needed to initiate transcription of that gene.