STRA8 is a meiosis inducer that is required for the transition into meiosis in both female and male germ cells. In female germ cells it acts downstream of ZGLP1 as a key effector of the meiotic programme, and it is required for premeiotic DNA replication and for the subsequent events of meiotic prophase. During spermatogenesis, alongside its role in meiotic initiation, it promotes spermatogonial differentiation, although it is not required for that step.

At the molecular level, STRA8 works in complex with MEIOSIN to directly activate transcription of a subset of critical meiotic genes. This activity plays a central role in switching the cell cycle from mitosis to meiosis. UniProt records the protein in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, consistent with a role in transcriptional control.

The STRA8 gene encodes a retinoic acid-responsive protein, which is the origin of its name, stimulated by retinoic acid 8. Earlier records used the names stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 homolog (mouse). The mouse homologue, Stra8, has been shown to regulate meiotic initiation in both spermatogenesis and oogenesis. RefSeq notes that feature differences between the mouse and human proteins suggest the two are not entirely functionally equivalent, and that the human gene is thought to play a role in spermatogenesis.