May contribute to the degradation of peptide hormones and be involved in the inactivation of neuronal peptides. Binds 1 zinc ion. Highly expressed in the CNS, in particular in putamen, spinal cord, medulla and subthalamic nucleus. A strong signal was also detected in uterine subepithelial cells and around renal blood vessels. Detected at lower levels in amygdala, caudate, thalamus, pancreas and skeletal muscle. Detected at very low levels in substantia nigra, cerebellum, cortex, corpus callosum and hippocampus. N-glycosylated. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. ECEL1 mutations have also been found in patients with arthrogryposis, significant ophthalmoplegia, and refractive errors (PubMed:23808592). Belongs to the peptidase M13 family.