Probable transcription factor, which may be involved in embryonic patterning (PubMed:14711878). May be required for basal embryo development after fertilization (PubMed:14711878). Acts partially redundantly with STIP in promoting embryonic cell division and proliferation (PubMed:17706632). Promotes cotyledon boundary formation by maintaining the symmetry in CUC genes expression domains (PubMed:22827849). Expressed only in the egg cell (PubMed:21316593). Not detected in the pollen tube (PubMed:21316593). Expressed in the zygote, the basal cell, and later the suspensor (PubMed:21802295). Expressed in all suspensor cells, except the hypophysis, and in the embryo surrounding region (ESR) endosperm cells (PubMed:22427333). Strongly expressed in the suspensor cells, with a weak expression also detected throughout the developing embryo (PubMed:22827849). Detected in the egg cell and the central cell of the embryo sac (PubMed:14711878). After fertilization, it is expressed in the zygote (PubMed:14711878). After the first division of the zygote, it is detected exclusively in the basal daughter cell, while WOX2 is expressed in the apical daughter cell (PubMed:14711878). Through the 16-cell stage, it is expressed in all descendants of the basal daughter, the developing suspensor and the hypophyseal cell (PubMed:14711878). After the hypophysis had divided, expression stops in descendants, but remains present in the extra embryonic suspensor (PubMed:14711878). Moreover it is found in the cellularized endosperm of the micropylar region during the globular and heart stages of embryogenesis (PubMed:14711878). Not expressed later in embryogenesis or in postembryonic stages (PubMed:14711878). Activated in the zygote after fertilization (PubMed:21316593). Up-regulated in the zygote after fertilization by the transcription factor WRKY2 (PubMed:21316593). Up-regulated by CLE8 (PubMed:22427333). No visible phenotype, due to the redundancy with WOX9 (PubMed:17706632). Wox8 and wox9 double mutants are embryo lethal, with embryos disrupted as early as the first cell division in the embryo proper (PubMed:17706632). Belongs to the WUS homeobox family.