USP16 and neoplasm: The results showed that tumours that developed from HBxΔ35-transfected cells were significantly larger and heavier than the tumours derived from control cells, whereas the tumours formed by HBxΔ35, USP16-cotransfected cells were markedly suppressed in comparison with HBxΔ35-transduced cells (Fig. 4C–E), indicating that the oncogenic effects of the HBxΔ35 protein were abrogated by the restoration of USP16 expression.