The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000146857 (STRA8, stimulated by retinoic acid 8) is as follows. Meiosis-inducer required for the transition into meiosis for both female and male germ cells. In female germ cells, acts downstream of ZGLP1 as a key effector of the meiotic program: required for premeiotic DNA replication and subsequent events in meiotic prophase. During spermatogenesis, next to its role in meiotic initiation, promotes (but is not required for) spermatogonial differentiation. In complex with MEIOSIN, directly activates the transcription of a subset of critical meiotic genes playing a central role in cell-cycle switching from mitosis to meiosis. .