Molecular heterogeneity of leukotriene receptors: correlation of smooth muscle contraction and radioligand binding in guinea-pig lung.

The [3H]leukotriene C4 ([3H]LTC4) and [3H]leukotriene D4 ([3H] LTD4) specific binding sites in guinea-pig lung membranes were characterized and correlated with smooth muscle contractile activities of a series of LTC-, D- and E-type analogs. [3H]LTC4 bound to the specific sites with high affinity (dissociation constant Kd = 15 +/- 5 nM), saturable capacity (maximum binding = 68 +/- 15 pmol/mg of membrane protein), stereoselectivity and specificity. The [3H]LTC4 specific binding sites were detected in the membranes isolated from leukotriene sensitive (e.g., lung and heart) or insensitive (e.g., brain and red blood cells) tissues. [3H] LTD4 also bound to specific sites with high affinity (Kd = 0.20 +/- 0.05 nM), low capacity (maximum binding = 1.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg of membrane protein) stereoselectivity and specificity. The [3H] LTD4 specific binding sites were detected in the membranes isolated from lung and trachea. [3H]LTC4 specific binding was inhibited by treatment of the membranes with the sulfhydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide. [3H]LTD4 specific binding was more sensitive to heat treatment and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate than the [3H]LTC4 specific binding. Radioligand competition activities of the LTD- and LTE-type analogs correlated well with the agonist and antagonist smooth muscle contractile activities. In contrast, the radioligand competition activity of the LTC-type analogs did not correlate with smooth muscle contractile activities. These results indicate that the [3H]LTC4 and [3H]LTD4 specific binding sites in guinea-pig lung membranes are chemically and physically distinct. The [3H]LTD4 specific binding sites represent physiologically and pharmacologically important receptors, and the smooth muscle contraction induced by LTD-, and possible LTE-, type analogs are mediated through the LTD4 receptors.