Acts as a processive, ATP-dependent zinc metallopeptidase for both cytoplasmic and membrane proteins. Plays a role in the quality control of integral membrane proteins. Absence of FtsH leads to increased sigma-32 levels, which suggests, in analogy to E.coli, that sigma-32 is a substrate for FtsH. May play a role in the general stress response, as overexpression leads to improved resistance to salt stress. Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Homohexamer. By heat shock at 40 degrees Celsius. Cells lacking this gene grow more slowly than wild-type, are filamentous and under high-phosphate defective in stalk biogenesis. They are hypersensitive to a range of antibiotics. Cells do not grow at 37 degrees Celsius, or in 50 mM NaCl. Required for stationary phase survival. Depletion leads to increased levels of sigma-32. In the central section; belongs to the AAA ATPase family. In the C-terminal section; belongs to the peptidase M41 family.