This gene encodes a member of the carboxypeptidase A family of zinc metalloproteases. This enzyme is produced in the pancreas and preferentially cleaves C-terminal branched-chain and aromatic amino acids from dietary proteins. This gene and several family members are present in a gene cluster on chromosome 7. Mutations in this gene may be linked to chronic pancreatitis, while elevated protein levels may be associated with pancreatic cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2015].