Plays a role in synthesis, processing and/or stability of 23S rRNA. Required for embryogenesis. May be involved in RPL23 transcript levels regulation in non-photosynthetic plastids. Highly expressed in shoots and leaves. Detected in roots, embryos and endosperm. Embryonic lethality when homozygous in non-permissive genetic background (cv. Wisconsin 22) or albino seedlings in permissive background (cv. B73). Belongs to the DUF177 domain family.