Cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein COX16 homolog, mitochondrial (COX16)

Required for the assembly of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV (CIV), also called cytochrome c oxidase (PubMed:29355485, PubMed:29381136). Promotes the insertion of copper into the active site of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (MT-CO2/COX2) (PubMed:29355485, PubMed:29381136).

Interacts specifically with newly synthesized MT-CO2/COX and its copper center-forming metallochaperones SCO1, SCO2 and COA6 (PubMed:29381136). Probably eases MT-CO2/COX2 association with the MITRAC assembly intermediate containing MT-CO1/COX1, thereby participating in merging the MT-CO1/COX1 and MT-CO2/COX2 assembly lines (PubMed:29381136).