title: Leukotriene receptors: classification, gene expression, and signal transduction.
abstract: Leukotrienes (LTs) are potent pro-inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid by the action of 5-lipoxygenase. There are two groups of LTs: LTB(4) and cysteinyl LTs (LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4)). Both of them play important roles in many inflammatory diseases and allergic responses. Recently, their G-protein coupled receptors have been cloned. The identification of these receptors enables us to analyze their gene structures, regulation of expression, and signal transduction in the cells, and it also leads to the development of useful antagonists. Some LT receptors have been disrupted by gene targeting. Such studies may reveal novel functions of leukotrienes, confirming deeper viewpoints for further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. takizumi@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokomizo
authors.forename: Hideru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obinata
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogasawara
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005091:Exons; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D010802:Phylogeny; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene