Background:
Nicotinamide/nicotinate-nucleotide adenylyltransferase that acts as an axon maintenance factor (By similarity). Catalyzes the formation of NAD+ from nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and ATP. Can also use the deamidated form; nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN) as substrate but with a lower efficiency. Cannot use triazofurin monophosphate (TrMP) as substrate. Also catalyzes the reverse reaction, i.e. the pyrophosphorolytic cleavage of NAD+. For the pyrophosphorolytic activity prefers NAD+, NADH and NaAD as substrates and degrades nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NHD) less effectively. Fails to cleave phosphorylated dinucleotides NADP+, NADPH and NaADP+. Axon survival factor required for the maintenance of healthy axons: acts by delaying Wallerian axon degeneration, an evolutionarily conserved process that drives the loss of damaged axons (By similarity).