Recombinant Human LTC4S protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

LTC4S also known as Leukotriene C4 Synthase is an enzyme that plays an important role in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes. This enzyme has a molecular mass of approximately 18 kDa. It is mainly expressed in cells of myeloid origin like mast cells basophils and eosinophils and is also present in monocytes and macrophages. LTC4S operates by catalyzing the conjugation of leukotriene A4 (LTA4) and reduced glutathione to produce leukotriene C4 (LTC4).

Biological function summary

LTC4S has a significant role in the inflammatory response due to its production of cysteinyl leukotrienes. These leukotrienes are important lipid mediators involved in bronchoconstriction vascular permeability and leukocyte trafficking. LTC4S acts alone and does not form part of a multi-subunit complex. Its activity affects both acute and chronic phases of inflammation thereby influencing the pathophysiology of various inflammatory conditions.

Pathways

This enzyme is an important part of the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway particularly in the leukotriene biosynthesis subpathway. In this pathway LTC4S converts the unstable LTA4 into LTC4 which subsequently converts into LTD4 and LTE4. The enzyme works closely with 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) which generates LTA4 the substrate for LTC4S. Together these proteins modulate the inflammatory response through the production of potent inflammatory mediators.

LTC4S is intricately linked with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The production of LTC4 and its downstream metabolites LTD4 and LTE4 plays a critical role in the airway constriction and mucus overproduction seen in asthmatic patients. LTC4S also connects to other proteins like the cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (CysLT1 and CysLT2) which mediate the pathological effects of leukotrienes. Moreover aberrant LTC4S activity may contribute to the inflammation observed in allergic rhinitis highlighting its significance in respiratory allergic diseases.