The present invention relates to a protease, and more specifically to a protease derived from Aranicola proteolyticus, a gene coding for said enzyme, a gene expression system for said protease, a process for purifying the protease, and the uses of said protease in industrial applications, such as for example, detergents, cosmetics, leather processing agents, chemicals for laboratory research, solubilizing or softening agents for food, meat modifier, feed or food additives, or oil and fat separating agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions.