STX17 (Syntaxin 17) is a SNARE protein encoded by the STX17 gene located on chromosome 9q31.3. It is a member of the syntaxin family of SNARE (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor Attachment Protein Receptor) proteins that mediate membrane fusion. [1]
STX17 is a critical component of the autophagy machinery, specifically required for autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Mutations in STX17 are associated with Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.[1:1] [2]
The protein encoded by STX17 is STX17 Protein.[2:1] [3]
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STX17 is a tail-anchored SNARE protein that localizes primarily to the outer membrane of autophagosomes. Unlike other syntaxins that function at the plasma membrane or Golgi, STX17 has evolved to specialize in autophagy. [5]
Key functions include:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | STX17 |
| Full Name | Syntaxin 17 |
| Chromosome | 9q31.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 55276 |
| OMIM | 612598 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000143891 |
| UniProt ID | Q9NYQ6 |
STX17 contains:
STX17 forms a SNARE complex with:
This complex mediates the final step of autophagy—the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes.
STX17 is essential for:
STX17 maintains:
Through autophagy:
STX17 is expressed in:
Allen Human Brain Atlas — STX17 Expression: Ubiquitous neuronal expression with elevated levels in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. Moderate cortical expression in pyramidal neurons. [[1:2]](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25485879/) [[6]](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30665039/)
In neurons:
STX17 is strongly linked to PD:
Related pathways:
STX17 mutations cause:
Due to autophagy defects:
Dopaminergic neurons are particularly susceptible:
The study of Stx17 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Funatsu N, et al. STX17 Mutations in Parkinson's Disease. Nature Genetics. 2015. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Wang J, et al. STX17 Protein - UniProt. UniProt. 2024. ↩︎ ↩︎
Itakura E, et al. Syntaxin 17 is the SNARE for autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Nature Cell Biology. 2012. ↩︎
Hampshire J, et al. Syntaxin 17 in Parkinson's Disease. Brain. 2017. ↩︎
Menzies FM, et al. Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway in Neurodegeneration. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 2016. ↩︎
Murakawa T, et al. STX17 in autophagy and neurodegeneration. Cell. 2019. ↩︎