NIBAN1 regulates the phosphorylation of a number of proteins involved in translation regulation, including EIF2A, EIF4EBP1 and RPS6KB1. Through this activity it is linked to the control of protein synthesis. It may also be involved in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, making it a point of interest for researchers studying how cells adapt to proteotoxic stress.

The NIBAN1 gene encodes a protein that belongs to the Niban family and, according to NCBI Gene, is a member of the family with sequence similarity 129 protein family. UniProt reports that the protein is found in the cytoplasm and at membranes. Mouse and rat both carry an ortholog named Niban1, so the protein can be studied in common rodent models; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

NCBI Gene notes that NIBAN1 is highly expressed in several cancer cells and may serve as a prognostic marker for certain cancers. The encoded protein may also play a role in regulating p53-mediated apoptosis, which accounts for the name niban apoptosis regulator 1. The gene has carried several earlier designations, including chromosome 1 open reading frame 24 (C1orf24) and family with sequence similarity 129 member A (FAM129A), and GIG39 and NIBAN remain in use as aliases. Researchers searching the literature for the NIBAN1 protein or the NIBAN1 gene should therefore include these older names.