The function of USP16 (ubiquitin specific peptidase 16, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000156256) is as follows. Specifically deubiquitinates 'Lys-120' of histone H2A (H2AK119Ub), a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression, thereby acting as a coactivator (PubMed:17914355). Deubiquitination of histone H2A is a prerequisite for subsequent phosphorylation at 'Ser- 11' of histone H3 (H3S10ph), and is required for chromosome segregation when cells enter into mitosis (PubMed:17914355). In resting B- and T- lymphocytes, phosphorylation by AURKB leads to enhance its activity, thereby maintaining transcription in resting lymphocytes. Regulates Hox gene expression via histone H2A deubiquitination (PubMed:17914355). Prefers nucleosomal substrates (PubMed:17914355). Does not deubiquitinate histone H2B (PubMed:17914355). Also deubiquitinates non- histone proteins, such as ribosomal protein RPS27A: deubiquitination of monoubiquitinated RPS27A promotes maturation of the 40S ribosomal subunit (PubMed:32129764). Also mediates deubiquitination of tektin proteins (TEKT1, TEKT2, TEK3, TEKT4 and TEKT5), promoting their stability. {ECO:0000255|HAMAP-Rule:MF_03062, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17914355, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32129764}.