Functions as a component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). NPC components, collectively referred to as nucleoporins (NUPs), can play the role of both NPC structural components and of docking or interaction partners for transiently associated nuclear transport factors. NIC96, which is localized to the core of the NPC and the distal ring of the nuclear basket, is required for de novo assembly of NPCs. It is involved in nuclear GSP1 import. Component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). NPC constitutes the exclusive means of nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs allow the passive diffusion of ions and small molecules and the active, nuclear transport receptor-mediated bidirectional transport of macromolecules such as proteins, RNAs, ribonucleoparticles (RNPs), and ribosomal subunits across the nuclear envelope. Due to its 8-fold rotational symmetry, all subunits are present with 8 copies or multiples thereof. NIC96 is part of three NPC subcomplexes, interacting with NSP1 of the NUP57 subcomplex (NIC96, NSP1, NUP49, NUP57), with NUP120 of the NUP84 subcomplex (SEH1, NUP85, NUP120, NUP145C, SEC13, NUP84, NUP133), and with NUP53 of the NUP53-NUP59-NUP170 subcomplex. The interaction with NUP53 is cell cycle dependent. NIC96 is also associated with the distal ring of the nuclear basket and interacts here with MLP2, which forms together with MLP1 nuclear pore-attached intranuclear filaments. Symmetric distribution. Present with 15500 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. Belongs to the nucleoporin interacting component (NIC) family.