Required for normal meiosis in male and female gametophytes. Plays a crucial role in coordinating the activity of DMC1, a key member of the homologous recombination machinery (PubMed:18504359). Acts at the interface between the developing chromosome axes and the recombination machinery to ensure DMC1-mediated interhomolog recombination (PubMed:17785529). Interacts with ASY3. During interphase-early leptotene, distributed as numerous punctuate foci throughout the chromatin. At zygotene and pachytene, shows a continuous localization along chromosomal axes. Failure of the pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis (asynapsis or non-homologous synapsis) in both male and female gametophytes. Was originally thought to correspond to two different genes At1g67370 and At1g67380. Was originally thought to correspond to two different genes At1g67370 and At1g67380.