Encodes AtSPO11-2, one of the three Arabidopsis homologues of the archaeal DNA topoisomerase VIA subunit (topo VIA). Required for meiotic recombination. Plants homozygous for atspo11-2 exhibit a severe sterility phenotype. Both male and female meiosis are severely disrupted in the atspo11-2 mutant, and this is associated with severe defects in synapsis during the first meiotic division and reduced meiotic recombination. AtSPO11-1 and AtSPO11-2 have overlapping functions (i.e. both required for meiotic recombination) whereas AtSPO11-3 functions in DNA replication. Required for double-strand break induction.