Effect of SB on the levels of p21 (FK506 binding protein like), p53, p27 (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1B), p16 and pFAK in p21 knockdown and control A172 cells. (A) Knockdown of p21 was achieved by transfection with specific siRNA against human p21 for 72 h. The effect of 2 mM SB on the levels of p21 (FK506 binding protein like), p53, p27 (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1B), p16 and FAK phosphorylation in control and p21-knockdown cells was determined using western blot analysis. (B) β-galactosidase positive staining (n=4; upper panel); and cell motility (lower panel; n=6) were measured in the A172 cells in (A). Results are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.01 vs. control. (C) Cell cycle analysis of the A172 cells in (A) using a BD FACScalibur system. SB, sodium butyrate; p-, phosphorylated; FAK, focal adhesion kinase; si, small interfering; C, control.