[5][6] SNCAIP stands for "synuclein, alpha interacting protein" and can be signified by SNCAP_HUMAN, synphilin 1, synuclein, alpha interacting protein (synphilin), and SYPH1.

The encoded protein interacts with alpha-synuclein in neuronal tissue and may play a role in the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions and neurodegeneration.

Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms of this gene have been described, but their full-length nature has yet to be determined.

They are usually located in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals, found at the tips of nerve cells.

In nerve cells, synphilin-1 and synphilin-1A interact with another protein called alpha-synuclein.