Catalyzes the reversible stereospecific interconversion of fumarate to L-malate (By similarity). Experiments in other species have demonstrated that specific isoforms of this protein act in defined pathways and favor one direction over the other (Probable).
Catalyzes the hydration of fumarate to L-malate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to facilitate a transition step in the production of energy in the form of NADH.
Catalyzes the dehydration of L-malate to fumarate. Fumarate metabolism in the cytosol plays a role during urea cycle and arginine metabolism; fumarate being a by-product of the urea cycle and amino-acid catabolism (By similarity). Also plays a role in DNA repair by promoting non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). In response to DNA damage and phosphorylation by PRKDC, translocates to the nucleus and accumulates at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs): acts by catalyzing formation of fumarate, an inhibitor of KDM2B histone demethylase activity, resulting in enhanced dimethylation of histone H3 'Lys-36' (H3K36me2) (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Nucleus, Chromosome
Translocates to the nucleus in response to DNA damage: localizes to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) following phosphorylation by PRKDC.