Transmembrane metalloprotease whose catalytic activity is critical for processing lamin A/LMNA on the inner nuclear membrane and clearing clogged translocons on the endoplasmic reticulum (, ). Proteolytically removes the C-terminal three residues of farnesylated proteins (, ). Plays also an antiviral role independently of its protease activity by restricting enveloped RNA and DNA viruses, including influenza A, Zika, Ebola, Sindbis, vesicular stomatitis, cowpox, and vaccinia (, ). Mechanistically, controls IFITM antiviral pathway to hinder viruses from breaching the endosomal barrier by modulating membrane fluidity .
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum membrane, Nucleus inner membrane, Early endosome membrane, Late endosome membrane
Widely expressed. High levels in kidney, prostate, testis and ovary.