The function of ENSG00000186318 (BACE1, beta-secretase 1) is as follows. Responsible for the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Cleaves at the N-terminus of the A-beta peptide sequence, between residues 671 and 672 of APP, leads to the generation and extracellular release of beta-cleaved soluble APP, and a corresponding cell-associated C-terminal fragment which is later released by gamma-secretase (PubMed:10656250, PubMed:10677483, PubMed:20354142). Cleaves CHL1 (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P56818, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10656250, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10677483, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20354142}.