Background:
Catalyzes the transport of 2-oxoglutarate across the inner mitochondrial membrane in an electroneutral exchange for malate or other dicarboxylic acids, and plays an important role in several metabolic processes, including the malate-aspartate shuttle, the oxoglutarate/isocitrate shuttle, in gluconeogenesis from lactate, and in nitrogen metabolism. Maintains mitochondrial fusion and fission events, and the organization and morphology of cristae (PubMed:21448454). Involved in the regulation of apoptosis (By similarity). Acts as a tumor-suppressor gene implicated in the predisposition to metastatic paraganglioma.