Acts as a component of the m-AAA protease complex which is a ATP-dependent metalloprotease mediating degradation of non-assembled mitochondrial inner membrane proteins. The complex is necessary for the assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain and ATPase complexes. Function both in post-translational assembly and in the turnover of mistranslated or misfolded polypeptides (By similarity). Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. In the N-terminal section; belongs to the AAA ATPase family. In the C-terminal section; belongs to the peptidase M41 family.