Component of the MCM8-MCM9 complex, which is involved in the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DBSs) and DNA interstrand cross- links (ICLs) by homologous recombination (HR) (PubMed:23401855). The MCM8-MCM9 complex is a 3'-5' DNA helicase and single-stranded (ss)DNA- stimulated ATPase which binds ssDNA in the presence of nucleoside triphosphates (PubMed:37309874). Required for DNA resection by the MRE11-RAD50-NBN/NBS1 (MRN) complex by recruiting the MRN complex to the repair site and by promoting the complex nuclease activity (PubMed:26215093). Indirectly regulates the recruitment of downstream effector RAD51 to DNA damage sites including DBSs and ICLs, probably by regulating the localization of the MNR complex (PubMed:23401855). The MCM8-MCM9 complex is dispensable for DNA replication and S phase progression (PubMed:23401855). May play a non-essential for DNA replication: may be involved in the activation of the prereplicative complex (pre-RC) during G(1) phase by recruiting CDC6 to the origin recognition complex (ORC) (PubMed:15684404). Facilitates somatic mitochondrial (mt)DNA recombination (PubMed:36355348). Plays a key role during gametogenesis, probably by regulating HR (By similarity). Stabilizes MCM9 protein (PubMed:23401855, PubMed:26215093). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9CWV1, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15684404, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23401855, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26215093, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36355348, ECO:0000269|PubMed:37309874}. This is the function of MCM8 (minichromosome maintenance 8 homologous recombination repair factor, ENSG00000125885).