NHase catalyzes the hydration of various nitrile compounds to the corresponding amides. Industrial production of acrylamide is now being developed using some of the enzymes of this class. an aliphatic amide = a nitrile + H2O Binds 1 Fe(3+) ion per subunit. Inactivated by oxidation of Cys-107 to a sulfenic acid. Heterodimer of an alpha and a beta chain. Oxidation on Cys-105 is essential for the activity. Oxidation on Cys-107 stabilizes the Fe-NO ligand coordinated in the inactive form. Belongs to the nitrile hydratase subunit alpha family.