Synaptonemal Complex Protein 3 (SYCP3)

SYCP3 encodes an essential structural component of the synaptonemal complex. This complex is involved in synapsis, recombination and segregation of meiotic chromosomes. Mutations in this gene are associated with azoospermia in males and susceptibility to pregnancy loss in females. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein.

Three meiosis-specific components of the SC have been characterized in mammals, SC protein-1 (SYCP1), SYCP2, and SYCP3. SYCP3 has a molecular mass of 30 kD and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain that has been shown to promote homotypic interactions in vitro; the SYCP3 gene has been cloned in mouse, rat, and hamster.