Encodes a metacaspase (cysteine-type endopeptidase) that is involved in promoting programmed cell death in response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), UV light, and methyl viologen (MV). Transcript levels rise in response to UV-C, H2O2, and MV. In vitro assays demonstrate that this enzyme has a preference for cleaving after an arginine residue, and it has a pH optimum of 8.0.