Biology of Retinoschisin

There is good evidence that retinoschisin (RS1) is one of the key participants in retinal cell adhesion processes controlling the formation of retinal cell layers and mosaics. Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked retinoschisis (RS1) gene lead to splitting within the retina, a condition known as the X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS). XLRS causes impairment of visual activity in young males and frequently progresses to even more severe reduction of both central and peripheral vision with age. This perspective reviews progress in the field of RS1 biology and pathophysiology.