Involved in the maturation of [NiFe] hydrogenases. Involved in the biosynthesis of the Fe(CN)(2)CO cofactor. Protein modification; [NiFe] hydrogenase maturation. Strains missing this gene do not produce hydrogenase; addition of Ni(2+) to cell cultures does not compensate this loss of function. Interestingly higher than usual urease activity was produced in this strain; this effect was increased by increasing amount of Ni(2+) in cell cultures. Belongs to the HupF/HypC family.