Nitrogenase_VnfE_like: VnfE subunit of the VnfEN complex_like. This group in addition to VnfE contains a subset of the alpha subunit of the nitrogenase MoFe protein and NifE-like proteins. The nitrogenase enzyme system catalyzes the ATP-dependent reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. NifEN participates in the synthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) of MoFe protein of the molybdenum(Mo)-nitrogenase. NifB-co (an iron and sulfur containing precursor of the FeMoco) from NifB is transferred to NifEN where it is further processed to FeMoco. VnfEN may similarly be a scaffolding protein for the iron-vanadium cofactor (FeVco) of the vanadium-dependent (V)-nitrogenase. NifE and NifN are essential for the Mo-nitrogenase, VnfE and VnfN are not essential for the V-nitrogenase. NifE and NifN can substitute when the vnfEN genes are inactivated.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",