Critical regulator of endosomal recycling of numerous surface proteins, including integrins, signaling receptor and channels. Binds to NPxY sequences in the cytoplasmic tails of target cargos. Associates with retriever and CCC complexes to prevent lysosomal degradation and promote cell surface recycling of numerous cargos such as integrins ITGB1, ITGB5 and their associated alpha subunits. Also required for maintenance of normal cell surface levels of APP and LRP1. Interacts with membranes containing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3P)). Monomer (By similarity). Interacts with APP (via cytoplasmic YXNPXY motif). Interacts with KIF1B (By similarity). Interacts with the C-termini of P-selectin, PTC, LDLR, VLDLR, LRP1 and LRP8. Interacts with KRIT1 (via N-terminus). Interacts with HRAS. Interacts with ITGB1 and ITGB5 (via NPxY motif). Interacts with CCDC22, CCDC93, VPS26C and VPS35L; the interaction with VPS26C is direct and associates SNX17 with the retriever and CCC complexes (By similarity). The PX domain mediates specific binding to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(P3)). Required for association with endosomes. The PTB-like F3 module within the FERM-like domain mediates cargo recognition via their NPxY sequences, while the F1 module (Ras-associating) is responsible for interaction with membrane-bound HRAS. Belongs to the sorting nexin family.