Leukotriene B4 formation enzyme pathway

The “Leukotriene B4 formation enzyme pathway” refers to the metabolic cascade that synthesizes **leukotriene B4 (LTB4)** from arachidonic acid through the action of several enzymes. This pathway primarily involves cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2α), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), and LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H). Arachidonic acid, liberated from cell membranes by cPLA2α, is converted by 5-LOX (with FLAP as a cofactor) to leukotriene A4 (LTA4); LTA4 is then converted to LTB4 by LTA4H[1][4][5][7]. LTB4 is a potent pro-inflammatory lipid mediator that acts mainly by recruiting and activating neutrophils and other immune cells, largely via the BLT1 and BLT2 G protein-coupled receptors[3][5][9]. The pathway has emerged as a therapeutic focus for conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain cancers, and multiple inhibitors of 5-LOX and LTA4H have been developed and trialed[2][4][6]. However, the “Leukotriene B4 formation enzyme pathway” is not itself a molecular entity or single target, but a collection of related **enzymes and receptors**; therefore, listing it as a therapeutic target is not considered technically correct—it is more accurate to specify an individual enzyme, such as “LTA4 hydrolase” or “5-lipoxygenase”[4][5]. In summary, the target as named (“Leukotriene B4 formation enzyme pathway”) represents **a collection of biosynthetic enzymes rather than a specific, actionable therapeutic target**, and its entry should be flagged as incorrect for structured drug target databases. The main actionable protein targets within this pathway are 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H), and the BLT1/BLT2 leukotriene B4 receptors.

Other names

Leukotriene B4 biosynthetic pathwayLTB4 biosynthetic enzyme cascade

Enzyme inhibition (LTA4 hydrolase) 5-lipoxygenase inhibition Receptor antagonism (BLT1/BLT2)