This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases, specifically the pentosyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is nicotinate-nucleotide: diphosphate phospho-alpha-D-ribosyltransferase (carboxylating). Other names in common use include quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (decarboxylating), quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase, QAPRTase, NAD+ pyrophosphorylase, nicotinate mononucleotide pyrophosphorylase (carboxylating), and quinolinic phosphoribosyltransferase. This enzyme participates in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism.