Sorting Nexin 16 (SNX16)

SNX16 encodes a member of the sorting nexin family. Members of this family contain a phox (PX) domain, which is a phosphoinositide binding domain, and are involved in intracellular trafficking. The function of this protein has not been determined. This gene results in three transcript variants encoding two distinct isoforms. SNX16 is a novel 343-amino acid protein consisting of a central PX domain followed by a potential coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal region. Like other sorting nexins, SNX16 associates with the membrane via the PX domain which interacts with the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. SNX16 is distributed in both early and late endosome/lysosome structures. SNX16 is a sorting nexin that may function in the trafficking of proteins between the early and late endosomal compartments.