Metalloprotease (By similarity). Required for normal hatching and migration of neuroblasts. May act by degrading eggshell proteins at hatching (PubMed:8861940). Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Expressed in hypodermal cells. First expressed in the dorsal and lateral surface area of the middle and posterior region of embryos. At later stages, it localizes to lateral surface regions, probably corresponding to hypodermal seam cells. In L1 larvae, it is expressed in seam cells and in a few cells anterior to the nerve ring. In embryos, it is first expressed just before elongation.