Veratramine is a hypotensive alkaloid isolated from the rhizomes of Veratrum. Veratramine modulates AP-1-dependent gene transcription by directly binding to programmable DNA. Veratramine, as a potent natural modulator of AP-1, selectively binds to a specific site (TRE 5'-TGACTCA-3') of the AP-1 target DNA sequence and regulates AP-1-dependent gene transcription without interfering with cystosolic signaling cascades that might lead to AP-1 activation.