Sorting nexin-18 (SNX18)

Sorting nexin-18 (SNX18) is a member of the sorting nexin family, which are proteins containing a phosphoinositide-binding Phox (PX) domain and involved in intracellular vesicular transport and membrane trafficking. SNX18 specifically contains SH3, PX, and BAR domains, placing it in the SNX9 subfamily of sorting nexins. It operates at endosomal membranes, promoting endosomal sorting, trafficking, and membrane tubulation. SNX18 plays a critical role in autophagy, especially in autophagosome formation, by recruiting autophagy components such as Atg16L1, LC3, and WIPI2, and facilitating endosomal carrier formation for polarized protein trafficking in epithelial cells. It interacts functionally and physically with dynamin, N-WASP, and synaptojanin to coordinate clathrin-mediated endocytosis and participates in membrane remodeling during mitosis and cytokinesis. Expression of SNX18 is transiently upregulated during neuronal development—specifically in differentiating motor neurons—and may influence axonal elongation and neuronal circuit formation. Its exact roles in disease and drug development remain unclear, and it is not currently used as a drug target or biomarker.

Other names

Sorting nexin-18SNX18SH3PX2SNAG1Sorting nexin associated Golgi protein 1SH3 and PX domain-containing protein 3B

Not applicable; no drug mechanism of action for this protein is described.