This gene encodes a member of the carboxypeptidase A family of zinc metalloproteases. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate a mature protease that is released by mast cells and may be involved in the degradation of endogenous proteins and the inactivation of venom-associated peptides. Expression of this gene may be elevated in human asthma patients. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2015].