Enables peptidase activity. Involved in several processes, including cellular response to amyloid-beta; cellular response to metal ion; and detection of mechanical stimulus involved in sensory perception of pain. Located in several cellular components, including Golgi apparatus; cytoplasmic vesicle; and neuronal cell body. Used to study dementia. Biomarker of Alzheimer's disease; sensory peripheral neuropathy; and transient cerebral ischemia. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Orthologous to human BACE1 (beta-secretase 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]