Component of the CENPA-NAC (nucleosome-associated) complex, a complex that plays a central role in assembly of kinetochore proteins, mitotic progression and chromosome segregation. The CENPA-NAC complex recruits the CENPA-CAD (nucleosome distal) complex and may be involved in incorporation of newly synthesized CENPA into centromeres. CENPN is the first protein to bind specifically to CENPA nucleosomes and the direct binding of CENPA nucleosomes by CENPN is required for centromere assembly. Required for chromosome congression and efficiently align the chromosomes on a metaphase plate. Component of the CENPA-NAC complex, at least composed of CENPA, CENPC, CENPH, CENPM, CENPN, CENPT and CENPU (PubMed:16622420, PubMed:16622419). The CENPA-NAC complex interacts with the CENPA-CAD complex, composed of CENPI, CENPK, CENPL, CENPO, CENPP, CENPQ, CENPR and CENPS. Interacts directly with CENPA (PubMed:19543270). Identified in a centromere complex containing histones H2A, H2B and H4, and at least CENPA, CENPB, CENPC, CENPT, CENPN, HJURP, SUPT16H, SSRP1 and RSF1 (PubMed:27499292). Localizes exclusively in the kinetochore domain of centromeres. Kinetochore-bound levels decrease when cells enter mitosis and increase again when cells exit mitosis. Belongs to the CENP-N/CHL4 family.