Along with RGS4, RGS9 and RGS14, RGS17 plays an important role in termination of signalling by mu opioid receptors and development of tolerance to opioid analgesic drugs.
Zajedno sa RGS4, RGS9 i RGS14, RGS17 učestvuje u terminaciji signalizacije mi opioidnog receptora i razvoju tolerancije na opioidne analgetike.