Transcription factor involved in the negative regulation of flowering, probably through the photoperiodic pathway. Acts as both an activator and a repressor of transcription. Binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner in large CArG motif 5'-CC (A/T)8 GG-3'. Participates probably in the regulation of programs active during the early stages of embryo development. Prevents premature perianth senescence and abscission, fruits development and seed desiccation. Stimulates the expression of at least DTA4, LEC2, FUS3, ABI3, AT4G38680/CSP2 and GRP2B/CSP4. Can enhance somatic embryo development in vitro. Homodimer. Interacts with SVP, AGL24, AP1, AGL6, AG, AGL1, AGL11, AGL5, AGL16, SOC1 and AGL21. Associated with the chromosomes during mitosis. Accumulates in the egg cytoplasm before fertilization but moves into the nucleus of the fertilized egg. Expressed at low levels in flowers and siliques. Also present in seedlings. Detected during embryogenesis and accumulates during early seed development (at protein level). Expressed in shoot apices and the base of leaf petioles. During the reproductive phase, accumulates in immature buds and at the base of the floral organs, and in the receptacle, ovules, anther filaments, and stigma and style of open flowers. Accumulates before fertilization in the cytoplasm in the cells of the egg apparatus and moves into the nucleus during early stages of development following fertilization in the suspensor, embryo, and endosperm, mainly double fertilization derived tissues (at protein level). Highly expressed in developing embryos. In young seedlings, present in the shoot and root apices, lateral root primordia and throughout the vascular system. By auxin (2,4-D). Feedback loop leading to direct down-regulation by itself. Early flowering under short-days conditions (SD) when combined with AGL18 disruption. Decreased ability to produce somatic embryos in vitro.