RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Zhang, Tianhao A1 Zhao, Xing A1 Jiang, Liangliang A1 Yang, Xue A1 Chen, Ying A1 Song, Xijiao A1 Lu, Yuwen A1 Peng, Jiejun A1 Zheng, Hongying A1 Wu, Yuanhua A1 MacFarlane, Stuart A1 Chen, Jianping A1 Yan, FeiYR 2018 T1 p15 encoded by Garlic virus X is a pathogenicity factor and RNA silencing suppressor JF Journal of General Virology, VO 99 IS 11 SP 1515 OP 1521 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001144 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Garlic virus X (GarVX) encodes a 15 kDa cysteine-rich protein (CRP). To investigate the function(s) of p15, its subcellular localization, role as a symptom determinant and capacity to act as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) were analysed. Results showed that GFP-tagged p15 was distributed in the cytoplasm, nucleus and nucleolus. Expression of p15 from PVX caused additional systemic foliar malformation and led to increased accumulation of PVX, showing that p15 is a virulence factor for reconstructed PVX-p15. Moreover, using a transient agro-infiltration patch assay and a Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) movement complementation assay, it was demonstrated that p15 possesses weak RNA silencing suppressor activity. Removal of an amino acid motif resembling a nuclear localization signal (NLS) prevented p15 from accumulating in the nucleus but did not abolish its silencing suppression activity. This study provides the first insights into the multiple functions of the GarVX p15 protein., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.001144