This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring phosphorus-containing nucleotide groups (nucleotidyltransferases).

Some sulfate adenylyltransferases are part of a bifunctional polypeptide chain associated with adenosyl phosphosulfate (APS) kinase.

If the organisms participating in the DSR pathway possess the full suite of genes necessary, APS can then be further stepwise reduced to sulfite (+4) and then sulfide (-2).

[3] In either direction in which the sulfate adenylyltransferase (reduction or oxidation) proceeds along DSR in bacterial cells, the associated pathways are participating in cellular respiration necessary for the growth of the organism.

[6] The active site of sulfate adenylyltransferase is composed mostly of portions of the Domain II specifically, H9, S9, S10, S12, and the conserved RNP-Loop and GRD-Loop.