LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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A leukotriene receptor refers to a protein molecule situated on cell surfaces that specifically binds with leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are a type of lipid-based inflammatory substance produced by white blood cells or leukocytes, mainly in response to allergic or inflammatory triggers. These signaling molecules play a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes, including asthma, inflammation, and hypersensitivity reactions. Leukotriene receptors are primarily involved in mediating the effects of leukotrienes by initiating specific intracellular signaling pathways upon ligand binding.
There are two major types of leukotriene receptors: leukotriene B4 receptors (BLT receptors) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (CysLT receptors). BLT receptors are further divided into two subtypes: BLT1 and BLT2. CysLT receptors are categorized into three subtypes: CysLT1, CysLT2, and CysLT3. Each receptor type has different affinities for various leukotriene molecules.
The activation of leukotriene receptors leads to various cellular responses, including smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation, and increased vascular permeability. In the context of asthma, for example, the binding of leukotrienes to these receptors causes bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation.
Leukotriene receptors are key targets for pharmacological interventions to mitigate the effects of leukotrienes and associated inflammatory conditions. Selective antagonists have been developed to block the binding of leukotrienes to their respective receptors, thereby reducing symptoms and improving control of certain diseases, particularly asthma.
Common Misspellings for LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR
- keukotriene receptor
- peukotriene receptor
- oeukotriene receptor
- lwukotriene receptor
- lsukotriene receptor
- ldukotriene receptor
- lrukotriene receptor
- l4ukotriene receptor
- l3ukotriene receptor
- leykotriene receptor
- lehkotriene receptor
- lejkotriene receptor
- leikotriene receptor
- le8kotriene receptor
- le7kotriene receptor
- leujotriene receptor
- leumotriene receptor
- leulotriene receptor
- leuootriene receptor
- leuiotriene receptor
Etymology of LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR
The word "leukotriene receptor" can be broken down into two parts: "leukotriene" and "receptor".
1. Leukotriene:
- The term "leukotriene" comes from the Greek words "leukos" meaning "white" and "treis" meaning "three".
- The name was coined by Swedish biochemist Bengt I. Samuelsson in the 1930s when he discovered a substance that caused the contraction of smooth muscle and was associated with the accumulation of leukocytes (white blood cells).
- Samuelsson named it "leukotriene" to emphasize the role of leukocytes, as the term "triene" indicates the presence of three double bonds in the molecule's chemical structure.
