[5] Calpains are a ubiquitous, well-conserved family of calcium-dependent, cysteine proteases.

Calpains have been implicated in neurodegenerative processes, as their activation can be triggered by calcium influx and oxidative stress.

Its C-terminal region lacks any homology to the calmodulin-like domain of other calpains.

The protein lacks a critical catalytic triad residue in its active site (cysteine nucleophile mutated to lysine) and thus is suggested to be proteolytically inactive.

The protein may play a role in tumor formation by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis.