ATPase required during meiosis for the formation of crossover recombination intermediates (PubMed:29742103). Binds DNA: preferentially binds to single-stranded DNA and DNA branched structures (By similarity). Does not show nuclease activity in vitro, but shows ATPase activity, which is stimulated by the presence of single-stranded DNA (By similarity). Plays a key role in homologous recombination and crossing-over in meiotic prophase I in male and female germ cells (PubMed:30272023). Required for recruitment of TEX11 and MSH4 to recombination intermediates (PubMed:30272023). Interacts with TEX11 (By similarity). Interacts with SPO16 (PubMed:30746471). Localizes to meiotic chromosomes; associates with mid-stage meiotic recombination intermediates (PubMed:29742103). Localization requires meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) recombination intermediates catalyzed by DMC1 (PubMed:29742103). Mainly expressed in adult testis. Expressed in embryonic ovaries at embryonic day 16.5. Mice show severe defects in meiotic prophase I, such as DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, crossover formation and synapsis in spermatocytes and oocytes resulting in sterility in both male and females (PubMed:30272023). Embryonic lethality due to defects in meiosis (PubMed:29742103). The use of a hypomorphic allele showed that spermatogenesis progresses normally until the end of prophase I when spermatocytes arrest at metaphase I: homologous chromosomes pair in spermatocytes but show defective synapsis (PubMed:29742103). Belongs to the XPF family. Highly divergent. Although related to the XPF family, the nuclease active site is not conserved.