This family of metallopeptidases contains StcE, a virulence factor found in Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli organisms. StcE peptidase cleaves C1 esterase inhibitor [1].

1: StcE, a metalloprotease secreted by Escherichia coli O157:H7, specifically cleaves C1 esterase inhibitor. Lathem WW, Grys TE, Witowski SE, Torres AG, Kaper JB, Tarr PI, Welch RA; Mol Microbiol. 2002;45:277-288. PMID:12123444