*2.8. Small RNA Sequencing*

Small RNA libraries were constructed using NEBNext Small RNA Library Prep Set for Illumina (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA), according to the manufacturer's protocol, with minor modifications for the low RNA input. Briefly, 3 ng of RNA was used for the library preparation. The 3 SR Adapter, SR RT Primer, and 5 SR Adapter were diluted 1:4, and the RNA was ligated with both adapters, and was reverse transcribed, barcoded, and amplified for 15 cycles. The generated libraries were cleaned up using AMPure XP Beads (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA) and quantified using the Qubit™ dsDNA HS Assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and the Bioanalyzer High Sensitivity DNA Analysis kit (Agilent Technologies) prior to sequencing on a NextSeq550 platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) with High Output Kit v2.5 and 50 bases single-reads, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
