H2O + N(2)-acetyl-L-ornithine = acetate + L-ornithine Binds 2 Zn(2+) or Co(2+) ions per subunit. Amino-acid biosynthesis; L-arginine biosynthesis; L-ornithine from N(2)-acetyl-L-ornithine (linear): step 1/1. Homodimer. Expressed during development. Expression levels decrease steadily from the initiation of development until culmination. Levels increase after 18 hours of development and peak at 22 hours, after which they decrease again. Belongs to the peptidase M20A family. ArgE subfamily.