The NTB-VPg protein of Tomato ringspot nepovirus is an integral membrane protein found in association with endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived membranes active in virus replication. A transmembrane helix present in a hydrophobic region at the C terminus of the NTB domain was previously shown to traverse the membranes, resulting in the translocation of the VPg domain in the lumen. We have now conducted an in planta analysis of membrane-targeting domains within NTB-VPg using in-frame fusions to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). As expected, the entire NTB-VPg protein directed the GFP fluorescence to ER membranes. GFP fusion proteins containing the C-terminal 86 amino acids of NTB-VPg also associated with ER membranes, resulting in ER-specific glycosylation at a naturally occurring glycosylation site in the VPg domain. Deletion of the hydrophobic region prevented the membrane association. The N-terminal 80 amino acids of NTB were also sufficient to direct the GFP fluorescence to intracellular membranes. A putative amphipathic helix in this region was necessary and sufficient to promote membrane association of the fusion proteins. Using in vitro membrane association assays and glycosylation site mapping, we show that the N terminus of NTB can be translocated in the lumen at least in vitro. This translocation was dependent on the presence of the putative amphipathic helix, suggesting that oligomeric forms of this helix traverse the membrane. Taken together, our results suggest that at least two distinct elements play a key role in the insertion of NTB-VPg in the membranes: a C-terminal transmembrane helix and an N-terminal amphipathic helix. An updated model of the topology of the protein in the membrane is presented.Infection by positive-strand RNA viruses results in massive proliferation and modification of the structure of the host intracellular membranes. Viral replication occurs in association with intracellular membranes and is associated with various modified membrane structures, including membranous vesicles and membranous webs (8,38,44,48). The specific nature of the membranes affected varies from one virus to another (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum [ER], tonoplast, mitochondrial membranes). Animal picornaviruses induce the formation of replication-competent membranous vesicles which are derived from the ER probably using mechanisms similar to those of the secretory pathway (17,28,43,47,51). Replication proteins and replication intermediates from plant viruses related to picornaviruses (e.g., potyviruses, comoviruses, and nepoviruses) are also found in association with ER-derived membranous vesicles (9,10,40,46). It is thought that these vesicles constitute mini-virus factories which are physically separated from the cytoplasmic content of the cell and offer protective environments for viral RNA replication (44).The initial targeting of viral replication proteins to the ER is a key step in the formation of replication-competent vesicles. One or several viral or host proteins act as membrane anchors for the re...