Lipoyl synthase is an enzyme that belongs to the radical SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) family. Within the radical SAM superfamily, lipoyl synthase is in a sub-family of enzymes that catalyze sulfur insertion reactions. Enzymes in this family contain two 4Fe-4S clusters, from which they obtain the sulfur groups that will be transferred onto the corresponding substrates. This particular enzyme participates in lipoic acid metabolism, so it transfers two sulfurs from its 4Fe-4S cluster onto the protein N6-(octanoyl)lysine through radical generation. This enzyme is usually localized to the mitochondria. Two organisms that have been extensively studied with regards to this enzyme are Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is also found in other organisms, such as yeast and plants.