The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) LTC4 and LTD4 are potent mediators of asthma and hypersensitivity. They induce bronchoconstriction, increase microvascular permeability, and are vasoconstrictors of coronary arteries. Their biological effects are transduced by a pair of G protein-coupled receptors, CysLT1 and CysLT2.1,2,3 Pranlukast (ONO-1078) is a potent, selective and orally active CysLT1 receptor antagonist.4 Sold under the trade name Ultair, it was the first cysteinyl (peptidyl) leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) marketed for the treatment of asthma.5 Clinical studies in Japan, Europe, and North America all show that pranlukast significantly attenuates bronchoconstriction in response to a variety of allergen challenges as well as to inhaled LTD4.5 Pranlukast binds to the human CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors with IC50 values of approximately 4-7 nM and 3,600 nM, respectively.1,2,3
1
Lynch, K.R., O'Neill, G.P., Liu, Q., et al. Characterization of the human cysteinyl leukotriene CysLT1 receptor. Nature399789-793(1999).
2
Heise, C.E., O'Dowd, B.F., Figueroa, D.J., et al. Characterization of the human cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor. J Biol Chem27530531-30536(2000).
3
Sarau, H.M., Ames, R.S., Chambers, J., et al. Identification, molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor. Mol Pharmacol56657-663(1999).
4
Taniguchi, Y., Tamura, G., Honma, M., et al. The effect of an oral leukotriene antagonist ONO-1078, on allergen-induced immediate bronchoconstriction. J Allergy Clin Immunol92507-512(1993).
5
Barnes, N.C., de Jong, B., and Miyamoto, T. Worldwide clinical experience with the first marketed leukotriene receptor antagonist. Chest11152-60(1997).
Lynch, K.R., O'Neill, G.P., Liu, Q., et al. Characterization of the human cysteinyl leukotriene CysLT1 receptor. Nature399789-793(1999).
Sarau, H.M., Ames, R.S., Chambers, J., et al. Identification, molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor. Mol Pharmacol56657-663(1999).
Heise, C.E., O'Dowd, B.F., Figueroa, D.J., et al. Characterization of the human cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor. J Biol Chem27530531-30536(2000).
Taniguchi, Y., Tamura, G., Honma, M., et al. The effect of an oral leukotriene antagonist ONO-1078, on allergen-induced immediate bronchoconstriction. J Allergy Clin Immunol92507-512(1993).
Barnes, N.C., de Jong, B., and Miyamoto, T. Worldwide clinical experience with the first marketed leukotriene receptor antagonist. Chest11152-60(1997).