Component of the replication protein A complex (RPA) required for DNA recombination, repair and replication. The activity of RPA is mediated by single-stranded DNA binding and protein interactions. Required fo cell division in meristems. Involved in the maintenance of transcriptional epigenetic gene silencing (TGS) at specific loci (including some transposons) by regulating histone H3 acetylation, 'Lys-4' and 'Lys-9' methylation. Heterotrimer of RPA1, RPA2 and RPA3 (canonical replication protein A complex) (By similarity). Interacts with ROS1. Binds to ASE1/At3g02920, PDX2, At5g62350, RPA1A/At2g06510, ARF1/At1g10630, At4g18590 and At3g52630. Redistributes to discrete nuclear foci upon DNA damage. Strongly expressed in shoot and root meristems. Present in seedlings, roots, leaves, siliques and flowers. Accumulates essentially in meristematic active tissues. In seedlings, expressed in primary roots, shoot apical meristems (SAMs), cotyledons, and vascular tissues. Later observed in lateral root primordia, root tips, SAMs and young leaves. Phosphorylated in a cell-cycle-dependent manner (from the S phase until mitosis). In response to DNA damage, recruited to DNA-repair nuclear foci, as a hypophosphorylated form (By similarity). Affected cell division in meristems but normal final cell sizes. Earlier flowering and smaller plant size. Enhanced sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), a genotoxic agent that damages DNA bases. Enhanced expression of some transposons. When associated with ROS1 disruption, restored silencing of some genes associated with increased histone H3 acetylation and histone H3 'Lys-4' methylation (H3K4me2), but decreased histone H3 'Lys-9' methylation (H3K9me2) in their promoter. Belongs to the replication factor A protein 2 family.