該基因編碼的蛋白質是三羧酸循環（tca）或krebs循環的酶組分，催化富馬酸鹽生成L-蘋果酸。它以胞質形式和n-末端延伸形式存在，僅在所使用的翻譯起始位點不同。n-末端延伸形式的靶向是線粒體，在線粒體中，延伸的移除產生與細胞質中相同的形式。它類似于一些耐高溫的Ⅱ類延胡索酸酶，具有四聚體的功能。該基因突變可導致延胡索酸酶缺乏癥并導致進行性腦病。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
The protein encoded by this gene is an enzymatic component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, or Krebs cycle, and catalyzes the formation of L-malate from fumarate. It exists in both a cytosolic form and an N-terminal extended form, differing only in the translation start site used. The N-terminal extended form is targeted to the mitochondrion, where the removal of the extension generates the same form as in the cytoplasm. It is similar to some thermostable class II fumarases and functions as a homotetramer. Mutations in this gene can cause fumarase deficiency and lead to progressive encephalopathy. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]