InterPro domain: IPR011775

This entry represents one of two ATPase subunits of the trimeric magnesium chelatase responsible for insertion of magnesium ion into protoporphyrin IX. This is an essential step in the biosynthesis of both chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll [ 1 ]. This subunit is found in green plants, photosynthetic algae, cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic bacteria. It is also found in certain archaea not known to make chlorins.

1. Magnesium-protoporphyrin chelatase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides: reconstitution of activity by combining the products of the bchH, -I, and -D genes expressed in Escherichia coli. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 1941-4