This gene encodes a protein involved in processing the signal peptide sequences used to direct mitochondrial proteins to the mitochondria. The encoded protein resides in the mitochondria and is one of the necessary proteins for the catalytic activity of the mitochondrial inner membrane peptidase (IMP) complex. Two variants that encode the same protein have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2011].
Function: Catalyzes the removal of transit peptides required for the targeting of proteins from the mitochondrial matrix, across the inner membrane, into the inter-membrane space. Known to process the nuclear encoded protein DIABLO.