Peroxisomal protein involved in the cellular biosynthesis of citrate, and required primarily for cell growth and modulation of multicellular development. acetyl-CoA + H2O + oxaloacetate = citrate + CoA + H(+) Carbohydrate metabolism; tricarboxylic acid cycle; isocitrate from oxaloacetate: step 1/2. Maximally expressed during vegetative growth and gradually decreased through subsequent developmental stages. Belongs to the citrate synthase family.