May play an important role in the progression of epithelial malignancies. Binds 1 Ca(2+) ion per subunit. Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Highly expressed in ovary and uterus. In skin fibroblasts of superficial dermis upon skin lesion with highest level between days 5-10. The conserved cysteine present in the cysteine-switch motif binds the catalytic zinc ion, thus inhibiting the enzyme. The dissociation of the cysteine from the zinc ion upon the activation-peptide release activates the enzyme. The precursor is cleaved by a furin endopeptidase. Belongs to the peptidase M10A family.