Aspartic protease that processes the lipase LipY and other PE_PGRS proteins. Can also cleave itself. Cleaves LipY both inside the PE domain, before amino acid 98, and after amino acids 136 and 149. Involved in virulence. Secreted via the ESX-5 / type VII secretion system (T7SS). Undergoes auto-proteolytic processing. Disruption of the gene does not affect LipY surface localization. Mutant shows moderate attenuation in the zebrafish larva infection model. Belongs to the mycobacterial PE family. PGRS subfamily.