Significance Leukotriene (LT) A 4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase (LTA4H) is a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes biosynthesis of the proinflammatory mediator, LTB 4 , implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, the chemotactic tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro was identified as the enzyme’s endogenous peptidase substrate. Pro-Gly-Pro is cleaved and inactivated by LTA4H, suggesting that LTA4H plays a role in both the initiation and the resolution phase of inflammation. Here, we defined the binding and cleavage mechanism for Pro-Gly-Pro at the active site of LTA4H. Moreover, we designed a small molecule that selectively blocks synthesis of LTB 4 , although sparing the peptidase activity for inactivation of Pro-Gly-Pro, thus representing a novel type of LTA4H inhibitor that may pave the way for development of better treatments of inflammatory diseases.

Resolution of acute inflammation is an active process coordinated by proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) such as lipoxins (LXs) and resolvins (Rvs), which are formed by the concerted action of 2 lipoxygenases (LOs). Because the exact molecular mechanisms of SPM biosynthesis are not completely understood, we aimed to investigate LX and D-type Rv formation in human leukocytes and HEK293T cells overexpressing leukotriene (LT) pathway enzymes. Activity assays in precursor (15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, 17-HDoHE)-treated granulocytes [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs)] showed a strict dependence of LXA 4 /RvD 1 biosynthesis on cell integrity, and incubation with recombinant human 5-LO did not lead to LX or Rv formation. Pharmacologic inhibition of 5-LO activating protein (FLAP) by MK-886 inhibited LXA 4 /RvD 1 biosynthesis in precursor-treated PMNLs (drug concentration causing 50% inhibition ∼0.3/0.2 mM), as did knockdown of the enzyme in MM6 cells, and precursor-treated HEK293T overexpressing 5-LO produced high amounts of LXA 4 only in the presence of FLAP. In addition, inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A 2a (cPLA 2a ) interfered with LXA 4 / RvD 1 formation from exogenous precursors in PMNLs. Furthermore, inhibition of the LT synthases LTA 4 hydrolase and LTC 4 synthase in PMNL/platelet coincubations augmented LXA 4 levels. These findings show that several enzymes known to be involved in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory LTs, such as FLAP and cPLA 2a , also contribute to LX and Rv formation.-

Background: Leukotriene (LT) C4 synthase (LTC4S) is a membrane protein catalyzing the formation of pathogenic mediators of asthma.Results: Crystal structures of complexes of WT and mutated LTC4S with three product analogs.Conclusion: Evidence for the binding mode of LTA4 and LTC4 at the active site of LTC4S and a mechanistic model.Significance: New insights into the molecular mechanism of LTC4S.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are lipid mediators of inflammation. The enzyme catalyzing synthesis of cys-LTs, leukotriene C 4 synthase (LTC4S), is considered an important drug target. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of three tandem benzophenone amino pyridines as inhibitors of LTC4S in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitors were characterized in vitro using recombinant human LTC4S, MonoMac 6 cells, and a panel of peripheral human immune cells. In vivo, the compounds were tested in the Zymosan A-induced peritonitis mouse model. The molecules, denoted TK04, TK04a, and TK05, were potent and selective inhibitors of LTC4S with IC 50 values of 116, 124, and 95 nM, respectively. Molecular docking revealed binding in a hydrophobic crevice between two enzyme monomers and interaction with two catalytic residues, Arg104 and Arg31. The TK compounds potently inhibited cys-LT biosynthesis in immune cells. In coincubations of platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, inhibition of LTC4S led to shunting of LTA 4 toward anti-inflammatory lipoxin A 4 , which was significantly enhanced by simultaneous inhibition of LTA4H. Finally, we found that TK05 (6 mg×kg 21 ×body weight) reduces LTE 4 levels in peritoneal lavage fluid by 88% and significantly decreases vascular permeability in vivo. Our findings indicate that the TK compounds are valuable experimental tools in eicosanoid research in vitro and in vivo. Their chemical structures may serve as leads for further inhibitor design. Novel drugs depleting cys-LT production could be beneficial for treatment of inflammatory diseases associated with overexpression of LTC4S.

Leukotriene (LT) C4 synthase (LTC4S) is an integral membrane protein that catalyzes the conjugation reaction between the fatty acid LTA4 and GSH to form the pro-inflammatory LTC4, an important mediator of asthma. Mouse models of inflammatory disorders such as asthma are key to improve our understanding of pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. Here, we solved the crystal structure of mouse LTC4S in complex with GSH and a product analog, S-hexyl-GSH. Furthermore, we synthesized a nM inhibitor and compared its efficiency and binding mode against the purified mouse and human isoenzymes, along with the enzymes’ steady-state kinetics. Although structural differences near the active site and along the C-terminal α-helix V suggest that the mouse and human LTC4S may function differently in vivo, our data indicate that mouse LTC4S will be a useful tool in future pharmacological research and drug development.