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. Active directional transport is assured by both, a Phe-Gly (FG) repeat affinity gradient for these transport factors across the NPC and a transport cofactor concentration gradient across the nuclear envelope (GSP1 and GSP2 GTPases associated predominantly with GTP in the nucleus, with GDP in the cytoplasm). Plays an important role in several nuclear export and import pathways including poly(A)+ RNA, tRNA, pre-ribosome, and protein transport. By binding ATPase AFG2, promotes AFG2-mediated release of shuttling protein RLP24 from pre-60S ribosomal particles (PubMed:23185031). Component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). NPC constitutes the exclusive means of nucleocytoplasmic transport (PubMed:10891509). 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 (PubMed:10891509). NUP116 interacts with the NUP82 subcomplex and GLE2 (PubMed:10801828, PubMed:9463388, PubMed:10891509). Through its FG repeats it interacts with numerous karyopherins including KAP95, PSE1 (GSP1-GDP dependent), MEX67, and to homomeric RNA (PubMed:9891088, PubMed:10952996, PubMed:11104765, PubMed:12372823). Interacts with CEX1 (PubMed:17203074). Interacts (via N-terminus) with AFG2 (via N-terminus) (PubMed:23185031). Biased towards cytoplasmic side. Contains FG repeats. FG repeats are interaction sites for karyopherins (importins, exportins) and form probably an affinity gradient, guiding the transport proteins unidirectionally with their cargo through the NPC. FG repeat regions are highly flexible and lack ordered secondary structure. The overall conservation of FG repeats regarding exact sequence, spacing, and repeat unit length is limited. FG repeat types and their physico-chemical environment change across the NPC from the nucleoplasmic to the cytoplasmic side: GLFG repeats are especially abundant in NUPs in the central region (lacking a charged environment but are enriched in Ser, Thr, Gln, and Asn). Belongs to the nucleoporin GLFG family.