Metalloprotease (By similarity). Acts together with protease sup-17 to facilitate lin-12/Notch signaling during developmental cell fate decision, including anchor cell/ventral uterine precursor cell decision (PubMed:16197940). By modulating glp-1/Notch signaling, plays a role in germline development (PubMed:16197940). Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. RNAi-mediated knockdown in a sup-17 (n1258) mutant background causes sterility with abnormal oocytes containing endoreduplicated DNA and impaired spermatheca function, and production of 2 anchor cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown in a glp-1 (ar202) constitutively active mutant background restores fertility.