This gene encodes a member of the peptidase A1 family of aspartic proteases. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate an active endopeptidase enzyme. This transmembrane protease catalyzes the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein to produce amyloid beta peptide. Mice lacking the encoded product exhibit increased pancreatic beta cell mass and improved glucose tolerance due to increased insulin secretion. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016]