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 (By similarity). The CENPA-NAC complex recruits the CENPA-CAD (nucleosome distal) complex and may be involved in incorporation of newly synthesized CENPA into centromeres (By similarity). Part of a nucleosome-associated complex that binds specifically to histone H3-containing nucleosomes at the centromere, as opposed to nucleosomes containing CENPA. Component of the heterotetrameric CENP-T-W-S-X complex that binds and supercoils DNA, and plays an important role in kinetochore assembly. CENPT has a fundamental role in kinetochore assembly and function. It is one of the inner kinetochore proteins, with most further proteins binding downstream. Required for normal chromosome organization and normal progress through mitosis. Component of the CENPA-CAD complex, composed of CENPI, CENPK, CENPL, CENPO, CENPP, CENPQ, CENPR and CENPS. The CENPA-CAD complex is probably recruited on centromeres by the CENPA-NAC complex, at least composed of CENPA, CENPC, CENPH, CENPM, CENPN, CENPT and CENPU (By similarity). Identified in a centromeric complex containing histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, and at least CENPA, CENPB, CENPC, CENPT, CENPN, HJURP, SUPT16H, SSRP1 and RSF1 (By similarity). Interacts (via N-terminus) with the NDC80 complex (By similarity). Heterodimer with CENPW; this dimer coassembles with CENPS-CENPX heterodimers at centromeres to form the tetrameric CENP-T-W-S-X complex (PubMed:19070575, PubMed:21464230, PubMed:22304917). Constitutively localizes to centromeres throughout the cell cycle, and to kinetochores during mitosis. Localizes to the inner kinetochore, and may connect it to the outer kinetochore via its N-terminus. The largest part of the sequence forms an elongated and flexible stalk structure that is connected to a C-terminal globular domain with a histone-type fold. Association with CENPA-containing complexes may be indirect and due to the proximity of centromeric nucleosomes containing histone H3 with those containing CENPA. Belongs to the CENP-T/CNN1 family.