Spermatogenesis-associated protein HSD3 also goes by the name of spermatogenesis-associated protein 7 or SPAT7. The family carries a single transmembrane domain. It functions in several tissues, and is expressed in the developing and mature mouse retina; it is expressed in multiple retinal layers in the adult mouse retina. Mutations lead to LCA disease, or Leber congenital amaurosis, which results in a number of retinal dystrophies. The disease- phenotype is characterised by severe visual loss at birth, nystagmus, a variety of fundus changes, and minimal or absent recordable responses on the electroretinogram (ERG) [1,2].

1: A novel gene, RSD-3/HSD-3.1, encodes a meiotic-related protein expressed in rat and human testis. Zhang X, Liu H, Zhang Y, Qiao Y, Miao S, Wang L, Zhang J, Zong S, Koide SS; J Mol Med (Berl). 2003;81:380-387. PMID:12736779

2: Mutations in SPATA7 cause Leber congenital amaurosis and juvenile retinitis pigmentosa. Wang H, den Hollander AI, Moayedi Y, Abulimiti A, Li Y, Collin RW, Hoyng CB, Lopez I, Abboud EB, Al-Rajhi AA, Bray M, Lewis RA, Lupski JR, Mardon G, Koenekoop RK, Chen R; Am J Hum Genet. 2009;84:380-387. PMID:19268277