Molecular chaperone which mediates the proper assembly and functional expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) throughout the brain (  ). Essential for the proper folding, assembly, function and surface trafficking of alpha-7 (CHRNA7), alpha-4-beta-2, alpha-3-beta-2 and alpha-3-beta-4 receptors (  ). Stably associates with ribophorin-1 (RPN1) and ribophorin-2 (RPN2) (components of the oligosaccharyl transferase (OST) complex) and with calnexin (CANX), both of which are critical for NACHO-mediated effects on CHRNA7 assembly and function (By similarity). Facilitates the proper folding and assembly of alpha-6-beta-2 and alpha-6-beta-2-beta-3 receptors and acts at early stages of the nAChRs subunit assembly . Promotes the expression of the alpha-4(2):beta-2(3) stoichiometric form over the alpha-4(3):beta-2(2) form .
Subcellular locations: Peroxisome membrane, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Shedding may lead to a soluble peptide.