该基因编码一种类似虾青素的锌依赖金属蛋白酶，属于肽酶m12a家族。该蛋白酶处理前胶原C-前肽，如索定、脯二聚糖和脯氨酰氧化酶。对小鼠的研究表明，该基因在哺乳动物心脏的发育过程中起着多种作用，对室间隔的形成至关重要。该基因的等位变异与6型房间隔缺损有关。另外，已经发现该基因编码不同亚型的剪接转录变体[由RefSeq提供，2011年3月]
This gene encodes an astacin-like, zinc-dependent, metalloprotease that belongs to the peptidase M12A family. This protease processes procollagen C-propeptides, such as chordin, pro-biglycan and pro-lysyl oxidase. Studies in mice suggest that this gene plays multiple roles in the development of mammalian heart, and is essential for the formation of the interventricular septum. Allelic variants of this gene are associated with atrial septal defect type 6. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]