Probable DNA helicase. Required in synaptic and/or post-synaptic stages of recombination. Probably has overlapping function with RecQ (AC O34748). It probably acts to help generate ss-DNA from ds-DNA breaks. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Cells lacking this gene have an increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, 100-fold decreased plasmid transformation and 4-fold reduced chromosomal DNA transformation. Sensitivity increases in the presence of mutated AddAB nuclease. Belongs to the helicase family. RecQ subfamily.