Aspartic protease (Probable). Part of the necrosis cell death pathway (PubMed:12410314). Involved in neuronal cell degeneration (PubMed:12410314). Involved in heat stress response (PubMed:26795495). Highly expressed in intestine and to a lower extent in body wall muscles, hypodermis and neurons. Expressed at the 2-fold stage embryo. RNAi-mediated knockdown prevents neuronal degeneration in a mec-4(u231), deg-1(u38) or gsa-1(Q227L) gain-of-function mutant background. Belongs to the peptidase A1 family.