RNA2-encoded VP37 protein of Broad bean wilt virus 1 is a determinant of pathogenicity, host susceptibility, and a suppressor of post-transcriptional gene silencing

Abstract Broad bean wilt virus 1 (BBWV‐1, genus Fabavirus, family Secoviridae) is a bipartite, single‐stranded positive‐sense RNA virus infecting many horticultural and ornamental crops worldwide. RNA1 encodes proteins involved in viral replication whereas RNA2 encodes two coat proteins (the large and small coat proteins) and two putative movement proteins (MPs) of different sizes with overlapping C‐terminal regions. In this work, we determined the role played by the small putative BBWV‐1 MP (VP37) on virus pathogenicity, host specificity, and suppression of post‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). We engineered a BBWV‐1 35S‐driven full‐length cDNA infectious clone corresponding to BBWV‐…