The in situ spectral methods for examining redox status of c-type cytochromes in metal-reducing/oxidizing bacteria

The membrane-associated c-type cytochromes(c-Cyts) have been well known as the key enzymes mediating extracellular electron transfer to terminal electron acceptors, resulting in biogeochemical elemental transformation, contaminant degradation, and nutrient cycling. Although c-Cyts-mediated metal reduction or oxidation have been mainly investigated with the purified proteins of metal reducing/oxidizing bacteria, the in vivo behavior of c-Cyts is still unclear, given the difficulty in measuring the proteins of intact cells. Fortunately, the in situ spectroscopy would be ideal for measuring the reaction kinetics of c-Cyts in intact cells under noninvasive physiological conditions. It can also help the establishment of kinetic/thermodynamic models of extracellular electron transfer processes, which are essential to understand the electron transfer mechanisms at the molecular scale. This review briefly summarizes the current advances in spectral methods for examining the c-Cyts in intact cells of dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria and Fe(Ⅱ)-oxidizing bacteria.

Biological fate and interaction with cytochromes P450 of the nanocarrier material,D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate

D-a-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate(TPGS,also known as vitamin E-TPGS)is a biodegradable amphiphilic polymer prepared by esterification of vitamin E with polyethylene glycol(PEG)1000.It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA)and has found wide application in nanocarrier drug delivery systems(NDDS).Fully characterizing the in vivo fate and pharmacokinetic behavior of TPGS is important to promote the further development of TPGS-based NDDS.However,to date,a bioassay for the simultaneous quantitation of TPGS and its metabolite,PEG1000,has not been reported.In the present study,we developed such an innovative bioassay and used it to investigate the pharmacokinetics,tissue distribution and excretion of TPGS and PEG1000 in rat after oral and intravenous dosing.In addition,we evaluated the interaction of TPGS with cytochromes P450(CYP450s)in human liver microsomes.The results show that TPGS is poorly absorbed after oral administration with very low bioavailability and that,after intravenous administration,TPGS and PEG1000 are mainly distributed to the spleen,liver,lung and kidney before both being slowly eliminated in urine and feces as PEG1000.In vitro studies show the inhibition of human CYP450 enzymes by TPGS is limited to a weak inhibition of CYP3A4.Overall,our results provide a clear picture of the in vivo fate of TPGS which will be useful in evaluating the safety of TPGS-based NDDS in clinical use and in promoting their further development.

Different outer membrane c‐type cytochromes are involved in direct interspecies electron transfer to Geobacter or Methanosarcina species

Direct interspecies electron transfer(DIET)may be most important in methanogenic environments,but mechanistic studies of DIET to date have primarily focused on cocultures in which fumarate was the terminal electron acceptor.To better understand DIET with methanogens,the transcriptome of Geobacter metallireducens during DIET‐based growth with G.sulfurreducens reducing fumarate was compared with G.metallireducens grown in coculture with diverse Methanosarcina.The transcriptome of G.metallireducens cocultured with G.sulfurreducens was significantly different from those with Methanosarcina.Furthermore,the transcriptome of G.metallireducens grown with Methanosarcina barkeri,which lacks outer‐surface c‐type cytochromes,differed from those of G.metallireducens cocultured with M.acetivorans or M.subterranea,which have an outer‐surface c‐type cytochrome that serves as an electrical connect for DIET.Differences in G.metallireducens expression patterns for genes involved in extracellular electron transfer were particularly notable.Cocultures with c‐type cytochrome deletion mutant strains,ΔGmet_0930,ΔGmet_0557 andΔGmet_2896,never became established with G.sulfurreducens but adapted to grow with all three Methanosarcina.Two porin–cytochrome complexes,PccF and PccG,were important for DIET;however,PccG was more important for growth with Methanosarcina.Unlike cocultures with G.sulfurreducens and M.acetivorans,electrically conductive pili were not needed for growth with M.barkeri.Shewanella oneidensis,another electroactive microbe with abundant outer‐surface c‐type cytochromes,did not grow via DIET.The results demonstrate that the presence of outer‐surface c‐type cytochromes does not necessarily confer the capacity for DIET and emphasize the impact of the electron‐accepting partner on the physiology of the electron‐donating DIET partner.

The role of polymorphic cytochrome P450 gene(CYP2B6)in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia(B-CLL)incidence and outcome among Egyptian patients

Cytochromes P450(CYPs)play a prominent role in catalyzing phase I xenobiotic biotransformation and account for about 75%of the total metabolism of commercially available drugs,including chemotherapeutics.The gene expression and enzyme activity of CYPs are variable between individuals,which subsequently leads to different patterns of susceptibility to carcinogenesis by genotoxic xenobiotics,as well as differences in the efficacy and toxicity of clinically used drugs.This research aimed to examine the presence of the CYP2B6*9 polymorphism and its possible association with the incidence of B-CLL in Egyptian patients,as well as the clinical outcome after receiving cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.DNA was isolated from whole blood samples of 100 de novo B-CLL cases and also from 100 sex-and age-matched healthy individuals.The presence of the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism was examined by PCR-based allele specific amplification(ASA).Patients were further indicated for receiving chemotherapy,and then they were followed up.The CYP2B6*9 variant indicated a statistically significant higher risk of B-CLL under different genetic models,comprising allelic(T-allele vs.G-allele,OR=4.8,p<0.001)and dominant(GT+TT vs.GG,OR=5.4,p<0.001)models.Following cyclophosphamide chemotherapy,we found that the patients with variant genotypes(GT+TT)were less likely to achieve remission compared to those with the wild-type genotype(GG),with a response percentage of(37.5%vs.83%,respectively).In conclusion,our findings showed that the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism is associated with B-CLL susceptibility among Egyptian patients.This variant greatly affected the clinical outcome and can serve as a good therapeutic marker in predicting response to cyclophosphamide treatment.

Natural variation in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B OsCOX5B regulates seed vigor by altering energy production in rice

Seed vigor is a crucial trait for the direct seeding of rice.Here we examined the genetic regulation of seed vigor traits in rice,including germination index(GI)and germination potential(GP),using a genome-wide association study approach.One major quantitative trait locus,qGI6/qGP6,was identified simultaneously for both GI and GP.The candidate gene encoding the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B(OsCOX5B)was validated for qGI6/qGP6.The disruption of OsCOX5B caused the vigor traits to be significantly lower in Oscox5b mutants than in the japonica Nipponbare wild type(WT).Gene co-expression analysis revealed that OsCOX5B influences seed vigor mainly by modulating the tricarboxylic acid cycle process.The glucose levels were significantly higher while the pyruvic acid and adenosine triphosphate levels were significantly lower in Oscox5b mutants than in WT during seed germination.The elite haplotype of OsCOX5B facilitates seed vigor by increasing its expression during seed germination.Thus,we propose that OsCOX5B is a potential target for the breeding of rice varieties with enhanced seed vigor for direct seeding.

Benthodytes occidentpalauta sp.nov.,a new species of deep-sea holothuroid(Elasipodida:Psychropotidae)from the west of Kyushu-Palau Ridge in the Western Pacific Ocean

Benthodytes occidentpalauta sp.nov.was collected from the Kyushu-Palau Ridge at a depth of 5481 m in 2021.This new species is characterized by a gelatinous body wall,violet skin,six pairs of dorsal papillae,and a rough mid-ventral surface without tube feet.The dorsal deposits are rod-shaped and tripartite.Two types of papillae deposits as crosses with four arms with central bipartite apophyses.Ventral deposits are rods.Tentacle ossicles are rod-shaped with end protrusions.Gonad deposits are rodshaped,tripartite,and cross-shaped.The phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(COI)and 16S individually and a concatenated dataset of COI and 16S genes of this species support that B.occidentpalauta sp.nov.belongs to Benthodytes.

Epiphytic zooplankton community profiles in a typical urban wetland as revealed by DNA metabarcoding

Zooplankton,a crucial component of urban wetland,are one of the effective bioindicators for monitoring the feeding stocks of organisms at higher trophic levels and assessing the ecological quality of ecosystems.However,information about the characteristics of epiphytic zooplankton community structure resulted from traditional methods is limited and hindered by the large amount of detritus and sludge attached to the macrophytes.We investigated the epiphytic zooplankton communities associated with macrophytes(Vallisneria,Nymphaea,and Thalia dealbata)in a subtropical wetland using as DNA markers of the 18 S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)gene.A total of 241 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from COI amplicons,including 194 OTUs of Rotifera,22 of Cladocera,and 25 of Copepoda,while only 62 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from 18 S rDNA amplicons including 34 OTUs of Rotifera and 28 of Copepoda.The zooplankton communities associated with the three macrophytes were similar,but they differed significantly from those in the open waters.However,there were no significant temporal differences among the zooplankton communities.Epiphytic zooplankton communities were dominated by littoral zooplankton such as Testudinella,Lecane,and Philodina.Microzooplankton,especially littoral species,utilize macrophytes as food sources and as refuges against predation.This further led to an increase inαandβdiversity of zooplankton communities in urban wetlands.Our result suggests that the joint use of multiple molecular markers could improve the taxonomic resolution and generate a comprehensive biodiversity profile of zooplankton.

Functionalized selenium nanoparticles ameliorated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through synergistically triggering PKCδ/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting CYP 2E1

Selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs)have been demonstrated potential for use in diseases associated with oxidative stress.Functionalized SeNPs with lower toxicity and higher biocompatibility could bring better therapeutic activity and clinical application value.Herein,this work was conducted to investigate the protective effect of Pleurotus tuber-regium polysaccharide-protein complex funtionnalized SeNPs(PTR-SeNPs)against acetaminophen(APAP)-induced oxidative injure in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6J mouse liver.Further elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanism,in particular their modulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway was also performed.The results showed that PTR-SeNPs could significantly ameliorate APAP-induced oxidative injury as evidenced by a range of biochemical analysis,histopathological examination and immunoblotting study.PTR-SeNPs could hosphorylate and activate PKCδ,depress Keap1,and increase nuclear accumulation of Nrf2,resulting in upregulation of GCLC,GCLM,HO-1 and NQO-1 expression.Besides,PTR-SeNPs suppressed the biotransformation of APAP to generate intracellular ROS through CYP 2E1 inhibition,restoring the mitochondrial morphology.Furthermore,the protective effect of PTR-SeNPs against APAP induced hepatotoxicity was weakened as Nrf2 was depleted in vivo,indicating the pivotal role of Nrf2 signaling pathway in PTR-SeNPs mediated hepatoprotective efficacy.Being a potential hepatic protectant,PTR-SeNPs could serve as a new source of selenium supplement for health-promoting and biomedical applications.

Phylogenetic Relationships and Status Quo of Colonies for Gayal Based on Analysis of Cytochrome b Gene Partial Sequences

Thirty-three mutations and four different haplotypes were found when cytochrome b（Cytb） gene partial sequences of 12 gayals were analyzed. Together with sequences of Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos grunniens, and Bos gaurus with Bubalus bubalis as the out group, the partial sequences of Cytb gene of gayals were aligned and base composition and nucleotide variation of Cytb gene were analyzed. The phylogenetic trees were constructed by the NJ method and the MP method respectively, both supporting almost the same topology. Gayal is an independent species of Bos from Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bos gaurus. The results also indicate that a great proportion of gayal bloodline was invaded by other species, and the protection of gayal is facing a formidable situation.

Phylogeny of Apaturinae Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome OxidaseⅠ Gene

The phylogenetic relationships of genera in the subfamily Apaturinae were examined using mtDNA sequence data from 1,471 bp of cytochrome oxidase subunit Ⅰ （COI）. The mitochondrial COI gene from a total of 16 species in 11 genera were sequenced to obtain mtDNA data, along with those of 4 species obtained from GenBank, to construct the MP and the NJ trees using Athyma jina, Penthema adelma, Polyura nepenthes, and Charaxes bernardus as outgroups. The transitions at the third codon positions of the COI data set were found saturated, but they were retained for analysis, because they contain the majority of the phylogenetic information. The impacts of equal weight assumptions for all characters in the parsimonious analysis were assessed by potential alternations in clades in response to different transition/transversion weighting schemes. The results indicated four distinct major groups in Apaturinae. Moreover, several well supported and stable clades were found in the Apaturinae. The study also identified undetermined taxon groups whose positions were weakly supported and were subject to changes under different weighting schemes. Within the Apaturinae, the clustering results are approximately identical to the classical morphological classification. The mtDNA data suggest the genus Mimathyma as a monophyletic group. Lelecella limenitoides and Dilipa fenestra have close relationship with very strong support in all phylogenetic trees. It also supports the taxonomic revision of removing several species from Apatura to other genera, namely Mimathyma schrenckii, M. chevana, M. nycteis, Chitoria subcaerulea, C. fasciola, C. pallas, and Helcyra subalba.

Mitochondrial DNA Sequences Imply Anhui Musk Deer a Valid Species in Genus Moschus

Anhui musk deer [ Moschus ( moschiferus/berezovskii ) anhuiensis ] has been a taxonomic mystery since its discovery in early 80's.In this paper,with museum samples,we sequenced the complete cytochrome b gene of five Anhui musk deer.When compared with other species in Genus Moschus ,Anhui musk deer showed a rather level of sequence divergence from all the other species in this genus.The phylogenetic trees constructed by multiple methods supported the same topology,in which the monophyly of Anhui musk deer was clearly demonstrated.Therefore,our molecular data suggest a full species status for Anhui musk deer ( Moschus anhuiensis ),rather than a subspecies of either M moschiferus or M berezovskii previously suggested by morphological studies.

Validity and Systematic Position of Rana altaica(Rana:Ranidae):Results of a Phylogenetic Analysis

In order to evaluate the phylogenetic position and validity of Rana altaica,we investigated the phylogeny of brown frogs in Eurasia by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Parsimony analyses of a fragment from the mitochondrial DNA gene Cytochrome b.Both analyses resolved R.altaica as nesting deeply within R.arvalis.Most samples of the nominal R.altaica from the Altai region and specimens from Central Siberia shared a haplotype with R.arvalis based on the network analysis.The matrilineal relationships suggested that R.altaica should be considered as a junior synonym of R.arvalis.Furthermore,our study suggested that the species group division of Chinese brown frogs should be re-evaluated within a phylogenetic context.

氯丙咪嗪对裸鼠U87胶质瘤模型凋亡作用的体内研究

目的研究氯丙咪嗪(chlorimipramine,CIMP)在裸鼠胶质瘤U87细胞肿瘤模型中的作用。方法建立裸鼠胶质瘤U87细胞肿瘤皮下模型,分为肿瘤模型组、氯丙咪嗪组、替莫唑胺组,其中氯丙咪嗪组包括20、40、60 mg/kg 3个剂量组,每组6只荷瘤鼠。观察肿瘤的生长情况,待肿瘤模型组死亡后处死其余各组剩余小鼠,比较肿瘤体积、生存时间,检测肿瘤组织中TSPO、Cytochrome、Caspase-3蛋白的表达。结果与肿瘤模型组比较,氯丙咪嗪组对肿瘤生长具有抑制趋势,但是差异不显著(P>0.05);氯丙咪嗪组荷瘤鼠生存时间与肿瘤模型组无明显差异(P>0.05),但有延长生存时间的趋势;氯丙咪嗪60 mg/kg组中TSPO、Cytochrome C表达较肿瘤模型组增高(P<0.05),Caspase-3蛋白表达无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论氯丙咪嗪虽然有抑制肿瘤生长,延长裸鼠生存时间的趋势,且可能与启动线粒体凋亡途径相关,但其作用效果不明显。

Identification of sika deer and red deer using partial cytochrome b and 12s ribosomal RNA genes

A study was conducted on the identifications of the degraded samples of sika deer （Cervus nippon） and red deer （Cervus elaphus） by phylogenetic and nucleotide distance analysis of partial Cytb and 12s rRNA genes sequences. 402 bp Cytb genes were achieved by PCR-sequencing using DNA extracted from 8 case samples, and contrasted with 27 sequences of Cytb gene downloaded from GenBank database. The values of three nucleotide distance between three suspected samples and sika deer were identical （0.026±0.006）, which was smaller than the smallest nucleotide distance between eastern red deer and sika deer （0.036）. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of sika deer and red deer indicated that the evidences located within the same cluster as sika deer. The evidences were sika deer materials. As the same way, other three suspected samples were derived from red deer. The results were further confirmed by phylogenetic and nucleotide distance analysis of 387 bp 12s rRNA gene. The method was powerful and less time-consuming and helpful to reduce the related cases with wildlife.

脑区硫胺素缺乏对AD模型小鼠脑神经元线粒体功能的影响

目的：检测阿尔茨海默病（AD）模型小鼠脑区硫胺素缺乏后,电压依赖性阴离子通道蛋白1（VDAC1）和细胞色素C（cytochrome C）蛋白表达的变化。方法：选用2~3月龄阿尔茨海默病模型小鼠（APP/PS1双转基因小鼠）和野生型（WT）小鼠,根据小鼠脑图谱用立体定位注射法在小鼠右海马齿状回,右前皮质脑区注射维生素B1拮抗剂,导致硫胺素缺乏（TD）。在TD处理后10 d进行动物行为学检测,TD处理后30 d应用免疫荧光、Western Blot及RT-PCR法检测VDAC1和细胞色素C在小鼠注射脑区蛋白的表达和分布并分析线粒体总DNA（mt DNA）的变化。结果：TD处理后APP/PS1小鼠和WT小鼠的主,被动规避行为与对照组相比有显著下降（P〈0.05）,两组小鼠注射脑区的VDAC1和细胞色素C呈现高表达（P〈0.05）,脑组织mt DNA总量增加（P〈0.05）。结论：硫胺素缺乏可以导致AD模型小鼠和野生型小鼠脑内线粒体功能发生改变。

藻类线粒体DNA研究进展

系统地研究分析了26种藻类线粒体DNA(mtDNA)全基因组的结构特征,利用细胞色素b基因(cob)对应的氨基酸序列构建了24种藻类和10种高等植物的系统树,并结合国内外mtDNA研究成果,论述和分析了利用mtDNA进行藻类系统进化研究的进展。指出:藻类mtDNA在进化过程中分为'简化起源型'和'原始型'两种类型;根据cob基因氨基酸序列构建系统树显示,绿藻和高等植物聚为一支,而不含叶绿素b的红藻、褐藻等藻类聚为另一支。

Effect of Quercetin on CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP3A2 Activities and its Inhibitory Mechanism Studies in Rat Liver Microsomes

Aim To assess the potential effect of quercetin （QU）, an natural plant estrogen, on CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2 activities in rat liver microsomes; and to identify the magnitude of inhibitory effect and the probable inhibitory mechanism of QU. Methods QU and specific substrate were concurrently incubated, with HPLC detection of the substrate metabolites for data analysis. The magnitude of inhibitory effect of QU on CYP3A2 was compared with those of ketoconazole （Ket） and erythromycin （Ery）. The mechanism of its inhibitory effect on CYP3A2 and CYP2E1 was derived from Lineweaver-Burk plots. Results HPLC methods were in good linear relationship with r〉0.999 1. Relative standard deviations for intra-day and inter-day were〈8.4%. Recovery of each analyte in the concentrations studied was between 91.1% and 107.6 %. QU （up to 8 μmol·L^-1） showed potent induction to CYP1A2 （338.1% of the negative control）while inhibited CYP2E1 （49.2% of the negative control） and CYP3A2 （60.3% of the negative control） activity. The magnitude of inhibitory effect for QU on CYP3A2 was between those for Ket and Ery （Ket〉QU〉Ery）. QU exhibited competitive inhibition of CYP3A2 dextromethorphan N-demethylation reaction and expressed noncompetitive inhibition of CYP2E1 chlorzoxazone-6-hydroxylation reaction. Conclusion HPLC assay has been validated with precision and accuracy. QU is an effective inhibitor of several CYP isoforms. It may cause relevant drug-drug interactions with CYP3A substrates. As a plant flavonoid, QU has potential not only in molecular advantage but also in CYP450 module capability for further application in cancer chemotherapy.

The Phylogenetic Relationships among Four Subspecies of the Genus Locusta Based on Sequences of Three Subunit of Cytochrome Oxidase

[Objective] The aim was to explore the phylogenetic relationships among four subspecies of the genus Locusta.[Method] The sequences of three subunits of cytochrome oxidase of Locusta migratoria tibetensis and Locusta migratoria manilensis were amplified and sequenced（COⅠ 1 539 bp,COⅡ 684 bp,CO Ⅲ 792 bp,with the total of 3 015 bp）.The corresponding sequenses of Locusta migratoria migratoria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides were obtained from GenBank and constructed a multiple alignment.Phylogenic trees of four subspecies of L.migratoria were constructed by Neighbor-Joining,Maximum-parsimony and Bayesian,respectively.[Result] The average content of A ＋ T in three subunits of four subspecies was 69.57%;the third site of codon showed the highest A ＋ T content,and the COⅠ had the highest A ＋ T content（87.6%）;The nucleotide substitution mainly occurred at the third site of codon,and the nucleotide replacement rate of CO Ⅱ was the highest.The second site of codon was conservative,so the replacement rate was in the range of 5.9%-15%.The start codon of COⅠ was CCG or ACG.Genetic distances among four subspecies were ranged from 0.001 to 0.076.The relationship between L.m.tibetensis and Locusta migratoria manilensis was the closest,followed by L.m.migratorioides and L.m.migratorioides,while the genetic distance between L.m.tibetensis and L.m.migratorioides was the largest.[Conclusion] The phylogenetic relationships among four subspecies of Locusta migratoria is L.m.tibetensis,L.m.manilensis,L.m.migratoria,L.m.migratorioides.

Pharmacogenetics of the systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers. To date, most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced tumor stage, excluding them from potentially curative therapies (i.e., resection, liver transplantation, percutaneous ablation). Treatments with palliative intent include chemoembolization and systemic therapy. Among systemic treatments, the small-molecule multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been the only systemic treatment available for advanced HCC over 10 years. More recently, other smallmolecule multikinase inhibitors (e.g., regorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) have been approved for HCC treatment. The promising immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) are still under investigation in Europe while in the US nivolumab has already been approved by FDA in sorafenib refractory or resistant patients. Other molecules, such as the selective CDK4/6inhibitors (e.g., palbociclib, ribociclib), are in earlier stages of clinical development, and the c- MET inhibitor tivantinib did not show positive results in a phase III study. However, even if the introduction of targeted agents has led to great advances in patient response and survival with an acceptable toxicity profile, a remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity in therapy outcome persists and constitutes a significant problem in disease management. Thus, the identification of biomarkers that predict which patients will benefit from a specific intervention could significantly affect decision-making and therapy planning. Germ-line variants have been suggested to play an important role in determining outcomes of HCC systemic therapy in terms of both toxicity and treatment efficacy. Particularly, a number of studies have focused on the role of genetic polymorphisms impacting the drug metabolic pathway and membrane translocation as well as the drug mechanism of action as predictive/prognostic markers of HCC treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically discuss the pharmacogenetic literature evidences, with particular attention to sorafenib and regorafenib, which have been used longer than the others in HCC treatment.

Genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P4502E1, alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Gansu Chinese males

AIM:To evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms in CYP2E1, ALDH2 and ADH1B and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a high risk area of Gansu Province, in Chinese males. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of these enzymes (CYP2E1 *c1/*c2, ALDH2 *1/*2 and ADH1B *1/*1 genotypes). A total of 80 esophageal cancer cases and 480 controls were recruited. RESULTS: Compared with controls, cases had a greater prevalence of heavier alcohol consumption (53.8% vs 16.2%) and a higher proportion of alcohol drinkers with > 30 drink-years (28.8% vs 13.5%). Heavier alcohol consumption and alcohol drinking with > 30 drink- years increased the risk of ESCC, with ORs (95% CI) of 3.20 (1.32-9.65) and 1.68 (0.96-3.21). CYP2E1 (*c1/*c1), ALDH2 (*1/*2) and ADH1B (*1/*1) genotype frequencies were higher among patients with squamous cell carcinomas, at a level close to statistical significance (P = 0.014; P = 0.094; P = 0.0001 respectively). There were synergistic interactions among alcohol drinking and ALDH2, ADH1B and CYP2E1 genotypes. The risk of the ESCC in moderate-to-heavy drinkers with an inactive ALDH2 encoded by ALDH2 *1/*2 as well as ADH1B encoded by ADH1B *1/*1 and CYP2E1 encoded by CYP2E1 *c1/*c1 was higher than that in the never/rare-to-light drinkers with an active ALDH2 (*1/*1 genotype) as well as ADH1B (*1/*2 + *2/*2) and CYP2E1 (*c1/*c2 + *c2/*c2) genotypes, with a statistically significant difference; ORs (95% CI) of 8.58 (3.28-22.68), 27.12 (8.52-70.19) and 7.64 (2.82-11.31) respectively. The risk of the ESCC in moderate-to-heavy drinkers with ALDH2 (*1/*2) combined the ADH1B (*1/*1) genotype or ALDH2 (*1/*2) combined the CYP2E1 (*c1/*c1) genotype leads to synergistic interactions, higher than drinkers with ALDH2 (*1/*1) + ADH1B (*1/*2 + *2/*2), ALDH2 (*1/*1) + CYP2E1 (*c1/*c2 + *c2/*c2) respectively , ORs (95% CI) of 7.46 (3.28-18.32) and 6.82 (1.44-9.76) respectively. Individuals with the ADH1B combined the CYP2E1 genotype showed no synergistic interaction. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that alcohol consumption and polymorphisms in the CYP2E1, ADH1B and ALDH2 genes are important risk factors for ESCC, and that there was a synergistic interaction among polymorphisms in the CYP2E1, ALDH2 and ADH1B genes and heavy alcohol drinking, in Chinese males living in Gansu Province, China.