This gene encodes a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family. These enzymes process latent precursor proteins into their biologically active products. The encoded protein plays a critical role in hormone biosynthesis by processing a variety of prohormones including proinsulin, proopiomelanocortin and proluteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in this gene may increase susceptibility to myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes. This gene may also play a role in tumor development and progression. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2011].