Metalloprotease (PubMed:17491590, PubMed:18637819). Acts in the basement membrane to control directional migration of distal tip cells (DTCs) along the body wall basement membranes, a key step that promotes gonad morphogenesis (PubMed:10864868, PubMed:15556863, PubMed:17491590,PubMed:19104038, PubMed:24318535, PubMed:26994289). Regulates DTC migration probably by recruiting fibulin fbl-1, type IV collagen let-2 and nidogen nid-1 to the gonad basement membrane thereby promoting the remodeling of the basement membrane (PubMed:19104038). During larval development and probably upstream of basement membrane proteins fbl-1, let-2 and nid-1, regulates pharynx length, probably by regulating pharyngeal cell length (PubMed:26994289). Does not recruit fbl-1 to the pharynx basement membrane (PubMed:26994289). Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Secreted as a zymogen (PubMed:17491590, PubMed:18637819). The zymogen localizes to the basement membrane of gonads, intestine and hypodermis (PubMed:17491590, PubMed:18637819). The mature and active form displays a similar localization but only during the L3 larval stage (PubMed:18637819). Secreted from muscle cells and functions in the basement membrane of the gonad to guide DTC migration (PubMed:10864868, PubMed:24318535). Localizes to the pharyngeal basement membrane (PubMed:26994289). First expressed in late embryos and continues through the adult stage. Observed on the surface of gonad, starting when distal tip cells migrate over the lateral hypodermis toward the dorsal muscles. The propeptide is required for localization to the gonad basement membrane. The disintegrin domain is required for distal tip cell migration and partially for mig-17 localization to the gonad (PubMed:17491590). Required for the control of pharynx length (PubMed:26994289). The PLAC domain is required for distal tip cell migration but not for gonadal localization. N-glycosylated by the COG complex; required for gonadal localization (PubMed:14688791, PubMed:16354716, PubMed:17761667, PubMed:17491590). N-glycosylation of the propeptide is required for gonadal localization but not for distal tip cell migration (PubMed:17491590). Required for the regulation of pharynx length (PubMed:26994289). N-glycosylation is not required for mig-17 secretion (PubMed:17491590). The precursor is cleaved into the active mature form by autoproteolysis (PubMed:17491590, PubMed:18637819). Cleavage occurs after secretion and only during the L3-L4 larval stages (PubMed:18637819).