Transcription factor involved in the regulation of tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) and degradation during male reproductive development. Promotes tapetal PCD. Positively regulates the expression of two tapetum-specific genes, the cysteine protease CP1 and the lipid-transfer protein C6 (PubMed:17138695). Acts upstream from and interacts with EAT1/DTD in the regulation of tapetal PCD (PubMed:23385589). Regulates the expression of genes related to aliphatic metabolism during pollen development. May play regulatory role in the lipidic metabolism involved in the formation of pollen wall (PubMed:19825565). Homodimer (PubMed:23519457). Interacts with EAT1/DTD (PubMed:23519457, PubMed:23385589). Interacts with TIP2 (PubMed:24894043). Male sterility due to failure of tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) and degeneration, and collapse of microspores in developing anthers (PubMed:17138695). Altered pollen wall formation (PubMed:19825565). Belongs to the bHLH protein family. Contains a degenerate basic motif not likely to bind DNA.