Identification of a novel RNA silencing suppressor, NSs protein of Tomato spotted wilt virus

RNA silencing or post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants is known as a defense system against virus infection. Several plant viruses have been shown to encode an RNA silencing suppressor. Using a green fluorescent protein-based transient suppression assay, we show that NSs protein of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has RNA silencing suppressor activity. TSWV NSs protein suppressed sense transgene-induced PTGS but did not suppress inverted repeat transgene-induced PTGS. TSWV NSs protein is the first RNA silencing suppressor identified in negative-strand RNA viruses.