Based on limited published evidence, BTBD17 is a BTB domain-containing protein localized to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. GO annotations suggest roles in negative regulation of viral genome replication and viral response. BTBD17 was identified in a ChIP-chip study examining histone H3K9me3 enrichment changes in hepatoma cells expressing hepatitis B virus X protein 1. The study found altered H3K9me3 enrichment at the BTBD17 promoter, though the gene's specific molecular function remains undetermined.