Transcription factor involved in the regulation of tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) and degradation during male reproductive development (PubMed:23519457, PubMed:23385589). Interacts with TDR and promote tapetal PCD by regulating the expression of RTS, and the two lipid-transfer proteins C4 and C6, which function in microspore development (PubMed:23519457). Acts downstream from and interacts with TDR in the regulation of tapetal PCD. Regulates directly the aspartic protease AP25 and AP37 during tapetal PCD (PubMed:23385589). May not target the cysteine protease CP1 (PubMed:23519457, PubMed:23385589). Interacts with TDR. Expressed in developing anthers from stage 8 to stage 10 (PubMed:23519457). Expressed in developing anthers from stage 7 to stage 11 with a peak at stages 8 and 9. Highly expressed in the tapetum (PubMed:23385589). Male sterility due to failure of tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) and degeneration required for pollen maturation (PubMed:23519457). Male sterility due to delayed tapetal PCD and aborted pollen development (PubMed:23385589). Belongs to the bHLH protein family. Contains a degenerate basic motif not likely to bind DNA.