The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the lyase 1 family. It is an essential enzyme involved in purine metabolism, and catalyzes two non-sequential reactions in the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway: the conversion of succinylaminoimidazole carboxamide ribotide (SAICAR) to aminoimidazole carboxamide ribotide (AICAR) and the conversion of adenylosuccinate (S-AMP) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Mutations in this gene are associated with adenylosuccinase deficiency (ADSLD), a disorder marked with psychomotor retardation, epilepsy or autistic features. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene.