Involved in urease metallocenter assembly. Binds nickel. Probably functions as a nickel donor during metallocenter assembly. Expression of the urease operon increases the likelihood of bacterial survival by contibuting to acid resistance in vitro and in vivo in BALB/c mice. Y.enterocolitica enters the body via an oral path and must survive the acidic stomach before being able to colonize the intestinal mucosa (PubMed:7558281). Belongs to the UreE family.