Zinc metalloproteinase Ste24 homolog (Zmpste24) is an endoprotease with a critical role in the maturation of lamin A protein, and Zmpste24 KO mice exhibit growth retardation, alopecia, muscle weakness, osteoporosis and premature death, all of which are features of HGPS. The gene discussed is ZMPSTE24; the disease is alopecia.