Involved in double-stranded break repair. Plays a central role in genetic recombination and DNA repair by promoting the annealing of complementary single-stranded DNA and by stimulation of the RAD51 recombinase. The full-length protein forms heptameric rings. Interacts with ABL1. Interacts with RPA2; the interaction is direct and associates RAD52 with the RPA complex. Interacts with RAD51AP1. Phosphorylated upon DNA damage by ABL1, and probably by ATM or ATR. Belongs to the RAD52 family.