Syntaxins are the prototype family of SNARE proteins. They usually consist of three main regions - a C-terminal transmembrane region, a central SNARE domain which is characteristic of and conserved in all syntaxins (Pfam:PF05739), and an N-terminal domain that is featured in this entry. This domain varies between syntaxin isoforms; in syntaxin 1A (Swiss:O35526) it is found as three alpha-helices with a left-handed twist. It may fold back on the SNARE domain to allow the molecule to adopt a 'closed' configuration that prevents formation of the core fusion complex - it thus has an auto-inhibitory role. The function of syntaxins is determined by their localisation. They are involved in neuronal exocytosis, ER-Golgi transport and Golgi-endosome transport, for example. They also interact with other proteins as well as those involved in SNARE complexes. These include vesicle coat proteins, Rab GTPases, and tethering factors [6].

1: Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutations in the yeast syntaxin 1 homologues Sso1p and Sso2p, and evidence of a distinct function for Sso1p in sporulation. Jantti J, Aalto MK, Oyen M, Sundqvist L, Keranen S, Ronne H; J Cell Sci 2002;115:409-420. PMID:11839791

2: t-SNARE dephosphorylation promotes SNARE assembly and exocytosis in yeast. Marash M, Gerst JE; EMBO J 2001;20:411-421. PMID:11157748

3: Vam3p structure reveals conserved and divergent properties of syntaxins. Dulubova I, Yamaguchi T, Wang Y, Sudhof TC, Rizo J; Nat Struct Biol 2001;8:258-264. PMID:11224573

4: The taming of the SNARE. Carr CM; Nat Struct Biol 2001;8:186-188. PMID:11224554

5: Gene overexpression as a tool for identifying new trans-acting factors involved in translation termination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Namy O, Hatin I, Stahl G, Liu H, Barnay S, Bidou L, Rousset JP; Genetics 2002;161:585-594. PMID:12072456

6: The syntaxins. Teng FY, Wang Y, Tang BL; Genome Biol 2001;2:REVIEWS3012. PMID:11737951