This gene encodes a mammalian peptidase that, at neutral pH, removes tripeptides from the N terminus of longer peptides. The protein has a specialized function that is essential for some MHC class I antigen presentation. The protein is a high molecular mass serine exopeptidase; the amino acid sequence surrounding the serine residue at the active site is similar to the peptidases of the subtilisin class rather than the trypsin class. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]