Benzophenone dicarboxylic acid antagonists of leukotriene B4. 1. Structure-activity relationships of the benzophenone nucleus.

A series of lipophilic benzophenone dicarboxylic acid derivatives was prepared which inhibited the binding of the potent chemotaxin leukotriene B4 to its receptor(s) on intact human neutrophils. With a radioligand-binding assay as a measure of receptor affinity, a structure-activity relationship for this series was investigated. Both acidic residues were required for receptor-binding activity. The relative orientation of the two acidic groups was important for optimal binding. Replacement of the carbonyl group of the benzophenone with a variety of polar and nonpolar linking groups led to only small changes in binding affinity, indicating the linking group may not be involved in receptor recognition. Further structure-activity relationships within this series are reported in an accompanying paper.