Inactive as a metallopeptidase, due to a lack of active site residues (PubMed:14559923). Required for larval molting, male tail development, and formation of adult alae (PubMed:14559923). Acts in the heterochronic pathway and plays a role in the developmental timing of postembryonic hypodermal seam cell division and adult alae production (PubMed:28933985). Acts synergistically with apl-1 in let-7 regulated postembryonic cell division events (PubMed:28933985). Might act downstream of the heterochronic protein lin-41 (PubMed:28933985). Negative regulator of lifespan, heat and oxidative stress response and age-related degenerative changes like reduced pharyngeal pumping and decreased body movements (PubMed:26918946). Lifespan restriction is dependent on the forkhead-type transcription factor daf-16 (PubMed:26918946). Expressed in the hypodermis, in the vulva during organogenesis, and in the ray papillae of the male tail. Expressed in embryos and larvae (PubMed:14559923). Expressed in an oscillating expression pattern during larval development, with low expression at the L2 stage, high expression at the L2/L3 transition and low expression at the L3 stage (PubMed:28933985). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in the extension of mean and maximum lifespan of 21% and 18%, respectively, and increased resistance to oxidative stress caused by paraquat (PubMed:26918946). RNAi-mediated knockdown in a daf-16 mutant background shortens mean and maximum lifespan by 3% and 2%, respectively (PubMed:26918946). RNAi-mediated knockdown in a let-7 mutant background partially suppresses the retarded and supernumerary hypodermal seam cell divisions, retarded alae production and postembryonic lethality (PubMed:28933985). Double RNAi-mediated knockdown with apl-1 in a let-7 mutant phenotype leads to complete suppression of the heterochronic seam cell defects (PubMed:28933985). Belongs to the peptidase M2 family.