Metal ions are common cofactors or helper factors (a non-protein substance that is bound to protein) and is an essential requirement to enable that protein to work. Often these cofactors work with enzymes.
Common inorganic metal ion cofactors include iron, magnesium, copper and zinc. Sometimes an inorganic and organic metal ion combines to enable effective functioning. For example in blood, the haem proteins consist of iron complemented by an organic compound porphyrins.