Antileukaemic and antineoplastic agent, esp. against melanoma and ovarian tumours

Use limited by low solubility and scarce availability of Taxus brevifolia bark

Biochemical tool extensively used to study cellular shape and function.

Also shown to be active against oomycete fungi

Isol. from the stem bark of Taxus brevifolia and Taxus cuspidata (Taxaceae)

Interferes with the normal function of microtubule growth by hyper-stabilisation of their structure

Binds to the beta subunit of tubulin