Syntaxin-binding protein 1, also known as N-Sec1, Protein unc-18 homolog 1, MUNC18-1 and STXBP1, is a peripheral membrane protein which belongs to the STXBP / unc-18 / SEC1 family. STXBP1 is an evolutionally conserved neuronal Sec1/Munc-18 (SM) protein that is essential in synaptic vesicle release in several species. It may participate in the regulation of synaptic vesicle docking and fusion, possibly through interaction with GTP-binding proteins. STXBP1 is essential for neurotransmission and binds syntaxin, a component of the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery probably in a 1:1 ratio. It can interact with syntaxins 1, 2, and 3 but not syntaxin 4. STXBP1 may also play a role in determining the specificity of intracellular fusion reactions. Defects in STXBP1 are the cause of epileptic encephalopathy early infantile type 4 (EIEE4). Affected individuals have neonatal or infantile onset of seizures, suppression-burst pattern on EEG, profound mental retardation, and MRI evidence of hypomyelination.