Required for initiation of meiotic chromosome synapsis. Involved in synaptonemal complex formation, a structure that tethers a pair of homologous chromosomes along their lengths and plays a central role in recombination and homolog segregation during meiosis. Required for the normal localization of MSH4 to chromosomes (By similarity). Interacts with ZIP3. Localizes to a meiosis specific chromosomal structure called the synaptonemal complex (SC) formed during meiotic prophase. During meiosis. Belongs to the ZIP2 family.