C-terminal 20 residues of ORF3 protein of duck circovirus genotype 2 regulates the nuclear localization and inhibits apoptotic activity of ORF3 protein

•A T236A mutation in ORF3 gene of DuCV genotype 1 strains resulted in a premature stop codon and 20 aa shorter at its C-terminus than the ORF3 protein of DuCV genotype 2 strains.•A NLS (RRLRTCNCRACRTLK) was identified within the C-terminal region of the ORF3 protein of DuCV genotype 2, which was essential for the nuclear localization of ORF3 protein.•The C-terminal 20 residues of the ORF3 protein of DuCV genotype 2 inhibited the apoptotic activity of DuCV ORF3 protein.