Involved in the regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of the short isoform of PodJ protein (PodJS), during the swarmer-to-stalked transition. The cleavage occurs near or within the single transmembrane of PodJS thereby releasing the N-terminal segment into the cytoplasm for subsequent degradation. It contributes to preserve asymmetry in the next cell cycle through sequential degradation. Expressed throughout the cell cycle. Degradation of PodJS is not regulated by cyclic variation of MmpA level. Belongs to the peptidase M50B family.