Required for female gametophyte development. Is necessary for the fusion of central cell nuclei and programmed cell death (PCD) of the antipodals. ATP + L-cysteine + tRNA(Cys) = AMP + diphosphate + L-cysteinyl-tRNA(Cys) Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. A number of isoforms are produced. According to EST sequences. Embryonic lethality when homozygous. Belongs to the class-I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus.