Essential for fertility (male and female gametophyte functions and development) (PubMed:23085019). Required for the integrity of female gametic mitochondria (PubMed:23085019). Modulates male gametophyte functions, including pollen tube growth and style penetration (PubMed:23085019). Involved in mitochondrial-driven cell-to-cell communication in embryo sacs during female gametes maturation (including embryogenesis initiation and endosperm development), especially for reciprocal signaling between central and egg cells which regulates reciprocal development (PubMed:23085019). Expressed at high levels in reproductive organs and, at lower levels, ubiquitously. In flowers, accumulates in the female gametophytes at different stages, as well as in early embryos and endosperms. Irregular structure and reduced number of cristae in female gametic mitochondria (PubMed:23085019). Completely disrupted male gametophyte functioning (shortened pollen tubes leading to altered style penetration) and impaired female gametes final maturation of the egg and central cells (persistent antipodal cells in embryo sacs, as well as small and short egg cells), not required for double fertilization, but essential for embryogenesis initiation and endosperm development, thus leading to the presence of aborted seeds in siliques (PubMed:23085019).