This gene encodes a member of the syntaxin or t-SNARE (target-SNAP receptor) family. These proteins are found on cell membranes and serve as the targets for v-SNAREs (vesicle-SNAP receptors), permitting specific synaptic vesicle docking and fusion. The encoded protein regulates endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport and plays a critical role in autophagy. Autoantibodies targeting the encoded protein may be a diagnostic marker for endometriosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2011].