Phorbol esters

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12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate
, a phorbol ester

Phorbol esters are a class of chemical compounds found in a variety of plants, particularly in the families

diterpenoid phorbol
.

Biological activity

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a phorbol ester receptor.[2][3] Phorbol esters can stimulate PKC in a similar way to diglycerides.[2][3]

Phorbol esters are known for their ability to

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is used as a biomedical research tool in models of carcinogenesis.[4][5]

Plants that contain phorbol esters are often poisonous.[5]

References