A short chain fatty acid shown to be an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC). Induce apoptosis in colon carcinoma cell lines in a p53-independent pathway. Inhibits c-myc splicing and inteferes with signal transduction processes, including the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Downregulates the activity of serine/threonine protease kinase casein kinase II in HT29 cells.