LincRNA-p21 is required for the expression of p53-downstream genes. (A) Hierarchical clustering analyses of 331 up-regulated and down-regulated 274 genes in lincRNA-p21 knockdown samples, relative to control-siRNA (Cntl-siRNA). The results of gene ontology (GO) analysis of differentially expressed genes are presented (right panels). (B) Heat map of twenty p53 down-stream genes that are down-regulated in lincRNA-p21 knockdown samples. (C-D) p53 mRNA (C) and protein (D) expression levels were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. (E) The mRNA levels of Mdm2, Puma, Bax, and Noxa were determined by qRT-PCR. (F) The protein levels of MDM2, PUMA, BAX, and NOXA were determined by Western blotting. (G) The expression of lincRNA-p21 was determined by qRT-PCR in RAW264.7 cells. (H) The mRNA levels of Mdm2, Puma, Bax, and Noxa were determined by qRT-PCR. (I) The protein levels of MDM2, PUMA, BAX, and NOXA were determined by Western blotting. All values are the average of at least 3 biological replicates and data shown are the mean±SD. * P<0.05 relative to control.