RAD21 Like Protein (RAD21L1)

RAD21L1 belongs to the rad21 family. Meiosis-specific component of some cohesin complex. Probably required during early meiosis for separation of sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes. Replaces RAD21 in premeiotic S phase), while RAD21 reappears in later stages of prophase I. May be involved in synapsis initiation and crossover recombination between homologous chromosomes. In meiotic chromosomes, localized along axial elements in early meiosis: detectable on the axial elements in leptotene, and stays on the axial/lateral elements until mid pachytene. It then disappears and is replaced with RAD21. Compared to REC8, has mutually exclusive loading sites on the chromosomes: REC8 and RAD21L form distinct cohesin-enriched domains along the axial elements.