Involved in ordered homologous recombination (HR) events in somatic and meiotic cells (PubMed:22547783). Involved in the suppression of spontaneous HR events in somatic cells (PubMed:22547783, PubMed:24635147). Has an opposite function to the DNA binding cofactor MHF1 which promotes spontaneous HR. Functions in replicative repair independently of MHF1 and in a parallel pathway to the endonuclease MUS81 (PubMed:24635147). Acts in the same pathway as the two DNA-binding cofactors MHF1 and MHF2 to restrain class II meiotic crossover (CO), and acts exclusively with MHF1 and MHF2 during meiosis to repair DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) (PubMed:24635147, PubMed:25038251). This common pathway is in parallel to the pathway that involves the RECQ4A helicase (PubMed:24635147). Seems to be involved in the stabilization of recombination intermediates (PubMed:22860689, PubMed:22723424). Involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair during meiosis. Required for synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) and to a lesser extent for single-strand annealing (SSA) (PubMed:22860689, PubMed:26161528). May process meiotic DSB repair intermediates, possibly D-loops, driving them toward noncrossover (NCO) resolution (PubMed:22723424, PubMed:26161528). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Reduced fertility. Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DEAH subfamily. FANCM sub-subfamily.