In addition, USP44 mediated many transcription factors and cyclins involved in the control of cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis in HCC—for example, NFAT5, EGR1, FOSL1, NFE2L2, NKX2-5, HIF1A, FOS, JUNB, MAFF, SIRT1, BRAC2, FOSB, ATF3, CEBPZ, MEF2B, CCND2, and CCNG2 (Figure 4B). This evidence concerns the gene NKX2-5 and hepatocellular carcinoma.