Nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) is a membrane-associated essential component of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex. An N-terminal amphipathic alpha helix mediates in-plane membrane association of HCV NS5A and at the same time is likely involved in specific protein-protein interactions required for the assembly of a functional replication complex. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants for membrane association of NS5A from the related GB viruses and pestiviruses. Although primary amino acid sequences differed considerably, putative membrane anchor domains with amphipathic features were predicted in the N-terminal domains of NS5A proteins from these viruses. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, as well as membrane flotation analyses, demonstrated that NS5As from GB virus B (GBV-B), GBV-C, and bovine viral diarrhea virus, the prototype pestivirus, display membrane association characteristics very similar to those of HCV NS5A. The N-terminal 27 to 33 amino acid residues of these NS5A proteins were sufficient for membrane association. Circular dichroism analyses confirmed the capacity of these segments to fold into alpha helices upon association with lipid-like molecules. Despite structural conservation, only very limited exchanges with sequences from related viruses were tolerated in the context of functional HCV RNA replication, suggesting virus-specific interactions of these segments. In conclusion, membrane association of NS5A by an N-terminal amphipathic alpha helix is a feature shared by HCV and related members of the family Flaviviridae. This observation points to conserved roles of the N-terminal amphipathic alpha helices of NS5A in replication complex formation.The family Flaviviridae comprises the genera Flavirus, Hepacivirus, and Pestivirus, as well as the as-yet-unassigned GB virus A (GBV-A), GBV-B, and GBV-C. These enveloped positivestrand RNA viruses express their structural and nonstructural proteins via translation of a single long open reading frame (30). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the sole member of the genus Hepacivirus and a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, affecting an estimated 3% of the world's population (44). GB viruses and pestiviruses are more closely related to HCV than the classical flaviviruses. The availability of efficient cell culture systems and animal models makes these related viruses attractive in vitro and in vivo models for HCV. GBV-B, the closest relative of HCV, was recovered from a tamarin inoculated with blood from a surgeon suffering from acute hepatitis (16, 54) and causes acute and chronic hepatitis in New World monkeys, which are believed to represent the natural hosts (10). Subsequent attempts to isolate GBV-B sequences from humans have failed. By contrast, GBV-C persistently infects humans. However, the pathogenic relevance of GBV-C, if any, remains unclear. It does not cause hepatitis but has been associated with prolonged survival in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals (62-64). ...