Differential analysis of host small RNAs identified conserved and new miRNAs that affect nodulation and strain selectivity in the Phaseolus vulgaris- Rhizobium etli symbiosis

We report an small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) approach to identify host sRNAs involved in the nitrogen fixing symbiosis between Mesoamerican Phaseolus vulgaris and Rhizobium etli strains with different degrees in nodulation efficiency. This approach identified conserved and known microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially accumulated in Mesoamerican P. vulgaris roots in response to a highly efficient strain, to a less efficient one or to both strains. Overall design: sRNA-seq profiling of P. vulgaris root tissues inoculated with Yeast Extract Mannitol media as a control (CTL), with the highly efficient strain of R. etli SC15 or the less effcient strain 55N1.