Phosphoinositide-binding protein required for multivesicular body formation. Specifically binds phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(P3)). Can also bind phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(P4)), phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns(P5)) and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-biphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2) (By similarity). Plays a role in protein transport between cellular compartments. Together with RAB7A facilitates endosome membrane association of the retromer cargo-selective subcomplex (CSC/VPS). May in part act as component of the SNX3-retromer complex which mediates the retrograde endosome-to-TGN transport of WLS distinct from the SNX-BAR retromer pathway (PubMed:21725319, PubMed:24344282, PubMed:30213940). Promotes stability and cell surface expression of epithelial sodium channel (ENAC) subunits SCNN1A and SCNN1G (By similarity). Not involved in EGFR degradation. Involved in the regulation of phagocytosis in dendritic cells possibly by regulating EEA1 recruitment to the nascent phagosomes (PubMed:23237080). Involved in iron homeostasis through regulation of endocytic recycling of the transferrin receptor TFRC presumably by delivering the transferrin:transferrin receptor complex to recycling endosomes; the function may involve the CSC retromer subcomplex (By similarity). Involved in regulation of neurite outgrowth in primary neurons (By similarity). Required for trafficking of WLS to the early endosome for recycling which promotes both canonical and non-canonical WNT signaling and is essential for neural tube closure (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O70492, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11433298, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18767904, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21725319, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23237080, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24344282, ECO:0000305|PubMed:21725319}. (Microbial infection) In the case of Salmonella enterica infection, plays a role in maturation of the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) and promotes recruitment of LAMP1 to SCVs. . This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000112335 (SNX3, sorting nexin 3).