Required for the correct female sexual development of the soma and germline in hermaphrodite animals, while being fully dispensable in males. Has calcium-dependent proteolytic activity and is involved in the cleavage of tra-2, for which it acts as a potentiator. Capable of calcium-dependent autolysis (PubMed:10783162). Part of the necrosis cell death pathway (PubMed:12410314). Required for necrosis of intestinal cells induced by B.thuringiensis endotoxin Cry6Aa (PubMed:26795495). Binds 3 Ca(2+) ions. Expressed in neuronal, but not in GABA-ergic neurons, intestinal, hypodermal and excretory tissues. The calpain catalytic domain is essential for in vivo function to promote female sexual development. The C2 domain associated with the domain III is primarily responsible for calcium binding. RNAi-mediated knockdown prevents neuronal degeneration in a mec-4(u231), deg-1(u38) or gsa-1 gain-of-function mutant background. Belongs to the peptidase C2 family.