RNA polymerase - An important molecular target of triptolide in cancer cells

Triptolide, a diterpenoid triepoxide, is the key biological component of Tripterygium wilfordu Hook. f which was used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat inflammation anti autoimmune diseases Triptolide has shown potent activity in not only anti-inflammation and immune modulation, but also antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity in many different types of cancer cells However, for a long time, the precise molecular target(s) of triptolide have remained elusive Recently, several groups discovered that triptolide inhibited the activity of RNA polymerase. This review will focus on these breakthrough findings about the molecular target of triptolide and its implications for targeted-cancer therapeutics. (C) 2009 Elseviei Ireland Ltd All rights reserved