Meiosis-specific component of some cohesin complex required during the initial steps of prophase I in male meiosis. Probably required during early meiosis in males for separation of sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes. Replaces RAD21 in premeiotic S phase (during early stages of prophase I), while RAD21 reappears in later stages of prophase I. Involved in synaptonemal complex assembly, synapsis initiation and crossover recombination between homologous chromosomes during prophase I (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Nucleus, Chromosome
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.