Required for the assembly of a functional nuclear pore complex (NPC) on the surface of chromosomes as nuclei form at the end of mitosis. May initiate NPC assembly by binding to chromatin and recruiting the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the NPC. Also required for the localization of the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the NPC to the kinetochore during mitosis and for the completion of cytokinesis (By similarity). Has also been proposed to function as a transcription factor which may play a specific role in hematopoietic tissues (PubMed:11952839). Associates with the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the NPC. Localizes to the nuclear pore complex (NPC) throughout interphase. Localizes to the kinetochore from prophase, and this appears to require the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the NPC. Localizes to the periphery of chromatin from late anaphase (By similarity). Widely expressed with higher expression in testis, lung and kidney. Expressed in T-cells, B-cells and granulocytes in bone marrow. Expressed throughout the embryo at 3.5 dpc and 6.5 dpc. Higher expression is detected at 10.5 dpc nad then progressively decreases. Highly expressed in fetal hematopoietic tissues including liver, spleen and thymus. Expressed in the endothelium lining the dorsal aorta of 11.5 dpc embryos (at protein level). The N-terminus forms a highly conserved seven-bladed beta propeller decorated with long loops and mediates anchorage to the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the nuclear pore, synergistically with the central alpha domain. The disordered C-terminus is responsible for the interactions with chromatin (PubMed:23499022). Embryonic lethality before 7.5 dpc. Impaired proliferation of the inner cells of the blastocyst due at least in part to increased apoptosis. Belongs to the ELYS family.