Binds a [4Fe-4S] cluster that is coordinated by 3 cysteines and an exchangeable?S-adenosyl-L-methionine molecule. The first stage of catalysis is reduction of the?S-adenosyl-L-methionine to produce?L-methionine and a 5′-deoxyadenosin-5′-yl radical that is crucial for the conversion of the substrate. Part of the pathway for thiamine biosynthesis.