MCM-2 is a therapeutic target of Trichostatin A in colon cancer cells.

•TSA inhibited cell growth and induced cell apoptosis of colon cancer cells.•Gene expressions of those genes associated with cell cycle was altered by TSA in HCT116 cells.•MCM2 was down-regulated by TSA in colon cancer cells.•Knockdown of MCM2 led to cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in HCT116 cells.•Jun signal pathway was involved in down-regulation of MCM by TSA.