Displays glyoxalase activity, catalyzing the conversion of glyoxal to glycolate (PubMed:26678554). However, this apparent glyoxalase activity may reflect a protein deglycase activity, which could be the primary function of this protein like other DJ-1 superfamily members such as PARK7, YajL, YhbO and HchA (Probable). Is not able to use methylglyoxal as substrate (PubMed:26678554). glyoxal + H2O = glycolate + H(+) kcat is 0.48 min(-1) with glyoxal as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). Homodimer. Belongs to the peptidase C56 family. Was originally thought (PubMed:9603997) to be involved in the early steps of isoprenoid biosynthesis. Extended N-terminus.