Plays a key role in reinforcing the integrity of the central element of the synaptonemal complex (SC) thereby stabilizing SC, ensuring progression of meiotic prophase I in male and female germ cells (PubMed:30949703). Promotes homologous recombination and crossing-over in meiotic prophase I via its association with SHOC1 (PubMed:30746471). Required for the localization of TEX11 and MSH4 to recombination intermediates (PubMed:30746471). Homooligomer (PubMed:30949703). Interacts with SHOC1 (PubMed:30746471). Interacts with SYCP1 and SYCE3 (PubMed:30949703). Testis (at protein level). Expressed in embryonic ovaries at embryonic day 16.5 (at protein level). Mice show a massive germline loss and infertility in both males and females (PubMed:30746471, PubMed:30949703). Defects in meiotic prophase progression and meiotic recombination seen in spermatocytes and oocytes (PubMed:30746471). Meiocytes fail to achieve complete synapsis and show repair of double-strand breaks without formation of crossovers (PubMed:30746471).