Involved in the catabolism of quinolinic acid (QA). CO2 + diphosphate + nicotinate beta-D-ribonucleotide = 5-phospho-alpha-D-ribose 1-diphosphate + 2 H(+) + quinolinate Cofactor biosynthesis; NAD(+) biosynthesis; nicotinate D-ribonucleotide from quinolinate: step 1/1. Hexamer formed by 3 homodimers. Belongs to the NadC/ModD family.