Catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of NAD from nicotinic acid, the ATP-dependent synthesis of beta-nicotinate D- ribonucleotide from nicotinate and 5-phospho-D-ribose 1-phosphate (PubMed:17604275, PubMed:21742010, PubMed:26042198). Helps prevent cellular oxidative stress via its role in NAD biosynthesis (PubMed:17604275). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:17604275, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21742010, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26042198}. This is the function of NAPRT (nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, ENSG00000147813).