Metalloprotease which cleaves the carboxyl terminus of procollagens, such as sqt-3, to mature collagens (By similarity). Involved in cuticular collagen maturation (PubMed:15579684). Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Expressed in hypodermis, rectal and vulval epithelial cells and amphid socket cells. Expression begins at the 2-fold embryonic stage and continues throughout larval development and adulthood. In larvae, expressed in the hypodermis but not in seam cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown causes embryonic lethality in 5 percent of the progeny.