Thapsigargin—From Thapsia L. to Mipsagargin

Molecules

Trine Bundgaard Andersen²  Carmen Quiñonero López²  Tom Manczak²  Karen Martinez²  Henrik Toft Simonsen¹ 

[1] Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark;

关键词: thapsigargin;    mipsagargin;    Thapsia garganica;    pharmacology;    biosynthesis;    traditional use;    sesquiterpene lactone;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules20046113

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The sesquiterpene lactone thapsigargin is found in the plant Thapsia garganica L., and is one of the major constituents of the roots and fruits of this Mediterranean species. In 1978, the first pharmacological effects of thapsigargin were established and the full structure was elucidated in 1985. Shortly after, the overall mechanism of the Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) inhibition that leads to apoptosis was discovered. Thapsigargin has a potent antagonistic effect on the SERCA and is widely used to study Ca²⁺-signaling. The effect on SERCA has also been utilized in the treatment of solid tumors. A prodrug has been designed to target the blood vessels of cancer cells; the death of these blood vessels then leads to tumor necrosis. The first clinical trials of this drug were initiated in 2008, and the potent drug is expected to enter the market in the near future under the generic name Mipsagargin (G-202). This review will describe the discovery of the new drug, the on-going elucidation of the biosynthesis of thapsigargin in the plant and attempts to supply the global market with a novel potent anti-cancer drug.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.