The effects of monovalent, divalent cations, buffere species and pH dependency on [3H]leukotriene D4 binding to the receptor have been characterized in vitro by using a radioligand binding assay. It was found that Ca2+, Mg2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ enhanced the specific binding. High concentrations of NaCl (150-300 mM) inhibited the specific binding to the receptor. The specific binding was also found to be higher in Pipes buffer (pH 6.5) than in Tris, Hepes and phosphate buffer at pH 7.0-8.0. Conversion of [3H]leukotriene D4 was minimized by inclusion of 1 mM cysteine, glycine in the incubation buffer and maintaining the temperature at 22 degrees C. Under the conditions employed, the dissociation constant (KD) and the receptor density (Bmax) were calculated to be 1.8 +/- 0.9 nM and 2100 +/- 375 fmol/mg protein respectively. The leukotriene antagonist FPL 55712, agonist 5R, 6S-LTD4 and LTE4 competed with the [3H]LTD4 binding to the receptor. Prostaglandins, alpha-, beta-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor agonists and antagonists did not compete significantly.