白三烯是一种强效的免疫调节脂质介质，具有在炎症和过敏性疾病中发病作用，尤其是哮喘。这些自分泌物也有助于低级别炎症，是心血管、神经退行性、代谢和肿瘤疾病的标志。白三烯的生物合成涉及到花生四烯酸的释放和氧化代谢，通过一组通常由先天性免疫系统的细胞表达的细胞质和积膜酶进行。在活化细胞中，这些酶可以活动并组装在内质网和周核膜上，构成一个生物合成复合体。在这里，我们描述了我们对白三烯合成酶机器的蛋白质组分的分子理解的最新进展，并简要涉及了白三烯受体。此外，我们还讨论了药理干预和开发新治疗方法的新机会。

Leukotrienes are potent immune-regulating lipid mediators with patho-genic roles in inflammatory and allergic diseases, particularly asthma. These autacoids also contribute to low-grade inflammation, a hallmark of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and tumor diseases. Biosynthesis of leukotrienes involves release and oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid and proceeds via a set of cytosolic and integral membrane enzymes that are typically expressed by cells of the innate immune system. In activated cells, these enzymes traffic and assemble at the endoplasmic and perinuclear membrane, together comprising a biosynthetic complex. Here we describe recent advances in our molecular understanding of the protein components of the leukotriene-synthesizing enzyme machinery and also briefly touch upon the leukotriene receptors. Moreover, we discuss emerging opportunities for pharmacological intervention and development of new therapeutics.