This gene encodes a deubiquitinating enzyme that is phosphorylated at the onset of mitosis and then dephosphorylated at the metaphase/anaphase transition. It can deubiquitinate H2A, one of two major ubiquitinated proteins of chromatin, in vitro and a mutant form of the protein was shown to block cell division. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Function: Specifically deubiquitinates histone H2A, a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression, thereby acting as a coactivator. Deubiquitination of histone H2A is a prerequisite for subsequent phosphorylation at 'Ser-10' of histone H3, and is required for chromosome segregation when cells enter into mitosis. Regulates Hox gene expression via histone H2A deubiquitination. Prefers nucleosomal substrates. Does not deubiquitinate histone H2B.
Subunit: Homotetramer.
Subcellular Location: Nucleus.
Tissue Specificity: Present in all the tissues examined including fetal brain, lung, liver, kidney, and adult heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas.
Post-translational modifications: Phosphorylated at the onset of mitosis and dephosphorylated during the metaphase/anaphase transition. The phosphorylated form of the protein is also enzymatically active.
DISEASE: Note=A chromosomal aberration involving USP16 is a cause of Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Inversion inv(21) (q21;q22) with RUNX1/AML1.
Similarity: Belongs to the peptidase C19 family. USP16 subfamily.
Contains 1 UBP-type zinc finger.