Plays an essential role in homologous recombination (HR) which is a major pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gaps, and stalled or collapsed replication forks (PubMed:11459989, PubMed:12205100, PubMed:24798879, PubMed:27264870, PubMed:32457312, PubMed:9774452). Acts as a molecular motor during the homology search and guides RAD51 ssDNA along a donor dsDNA thereby changing the homology search from the diffusion-based mechanism to a motor-guided mechanism. Also plays an essential role in RAD51-mediated synaptic complex formation which consists of three strands encased in a protein filament formed once homology is recognized. Once DNA strand exchange occured, dissociates RAD51 from nucleoprotein filaments formed on dsDNA (By similarity).
