Glutathione S-transferase(GST) gene expression profiles in two marine bivalves exposed to BDE-47 and their potential molecular mechanisms

Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs) are phase II enzymes that facilitate the detoxification of xenobiotics and play important roles in antioxidant defense. We investigated the expression patterns of seven Venerupis philippinarum GSTs( Vp GSTs) and four Mytilus galloprovincialis GSTs( Mg GSTs) following exposure to BDE-47. Differential expressions of the seven V p GSTs and four Mg GSTs transcripts were observed,with differences between the hepatopancreas and gills. Among these GSTs,the sigma classes( Vp GSTS1,Vp GSTS2,Vp GSTS3,Mg GST1,and Mg GST3) were highly expressed in response to BDE-47 exposure,demonstrating their potential as molecular biomarkers for environmental biomonitoring studies. We obtained the three-dimensional crystal structures of V p GSTs and Mg GSTs by homologous modeling. A model to elucidate the binding interactions between the ligands and receptors was defined by molecular docking. Hydrophobic and π were the most often observed interactions between BDE-47 and the GSTs.

Novel functional association of rat testicular membrane-associated cytosolic glutathione S transferases and cyclooxygenase in vitro

Aim:To analyze the role of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (cGSTs) and membrane-associated cytosolic GSTs (macGSTs) in prostaglandin biosynthesis and to evaluate the possible interaction between glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and cyclooxygenase (COX) in vitro.Methods:SDS-PAGE analysis was undertaken for characterization of GSTs,thin layer chromatography (TLC) to monitor the effect of GSTs on prostaglandin biosynthesis from arachi- donic acid (AA) and spectrophotometric assays were done for measuring activity levels of COX and GSTs.Results: SDS-PAGE analysis indicates that macGSTs have molecular weights in the range of 25-28 kDa.In a coupled assay involving GSTs,arachidonic acid and cyclooxygenase-1,rat testicular macGSTs produced prostaglandin E2 and F2~, while the cGSTs caused the generation of prostaglandin D2,E2 and F_(2α).In vitro interaction studies on GSTs and COX at the protein level have shown dose-dependent inhibition of COX activity by macGSTs and vice versa.This effect, however,is not seen with cGSTs.The inhibitory effect of COX on macGST activity was relieved with increasing concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) but not with 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB).The inhibition of COX by macGSTs,on the other hand,was potentiated by glutathione.Conclusion:We isolated and purified macGSTs and cGSTs from rat testis and analyzed their involvement in prostaglandin biosynthesis.These studies reveal a revers- ible functional interaction between macGSTs and COX in vitro,with possible interactions between them at the GSH binding site of macGSTs.

Comparative Studies of Substrate and Inhibitor Specificity of Glutathione S-Transferases in Six Tissues of Oxya chinensis(Thunberg)(Orthoptera:Acrididae)

Specific activity, substrate specificity, and kinetic parameters （Km and Vmax） of glutathione S-transferases （GSTs） towards three substrates, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene （CDNB）, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene （DCNB）, and p-nitrobenzene chloride （pNBC） were investigated in six tissues （foregut, midgut, hindgut, fat body, hemolymph, and muscle） of Oxya chinensis. In addition, the inhibition in vitro （ethacrynic acid, and Cibacron Blue 3GA） of Oxya chinensis in the six tissues was also investigated. Glutathione S-transferase activity was detected in all the six tissues examined. The rank order of GST activities towards CDNB was fat body 〉 midgut 〉 hindgut 〉 muscle 〉 foregut 〉 hemolymph both in females and males. Glutathione S-transferase activities in the fat body in females and males were 1.3- to 10.4-fold and 1.1- to 10.0- fold higher than those in the other tissues. The rank order of GST activities towards the other substrates changed slightly. From these results, it was inferred that GSTs in the fat body and midgut played important roles in detoxifying xenobiotics including insecticides and plant allelochemicals in O. chinensis. In the three substrates examined, CDNB seemed to be the best substrate, followed by pNBC and DCNB. The kinetic parameters of GSTs were different among the six tissues. This suggested that GSTs in different tissues have various affinities and catalytic efficiency to substrates. In vitro inhibition study showed that the median inhibition concentration （IC50） values of the two inhibitors to GSTs from the six tissues were different. The results suggested that the two inhibitors have different inhibition potency to GSTs from the different tissues. The observed changes in kinetic parameters and inhibition in vitro among the six tissues of the insect might suggest that the number and structure of isoenzymes and their rate of expression varied for the different tissues.

Prognostic Significance of Comparison of Clinical Indicators with Manifestations of Genetic Polymorphism of Glutathione-S-Transferases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The article presented the results of comparison of polymorphic variants of the genes GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and clinical manifestations of non-small cell lung carcinoma. The association of the genotype GSTT1 (del) with the risk of developing squamous cell lung cancer has been revealed (OR = 2.54 CI: 1.13 - 5.72, p = 0.035). Analysis of patient survival rate (n = 173) in groups of various histological types of lung cancer showed that in the group of squamous cell lung cancer (n = 91) in patients with genotype GSTT1 (del), the survival rate median was significantly higher—84 months (95% CI 12.4 - 155.7) than in patients with the genotype GSTT1 (+)—36 months (95% CI 25.2 - 46.8, p = 0.045). In contrast, in the adenocarcinoma group (n = 82), the survival rate median in patients with the genotype GSTT1 (del) was 19 months. (95% CI 6.2 - 33.5), and in patients with genotype GSTT1 (+)—67 months (95% CI 50.1 - 84.0), which is the basis for continuing this comparison in an additional group of testees, as the sampling did not achieve the reliability of p = 0.12. Hypothetically, these differences may be due to differences in the gender composition of squamous cell lung cancer and adenocarcinoma and the involvement of GST enzymes in the metabolism of estrogens in adenocarcinoma in women and other hormonal background and reactivity of the male body with squamous cell carcinoma. Further research and subsequent analysis of the results will be aimed at confirming this hypothesis.

Glutathione-S-transferase (GSTM1,GSTT1) and the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in a Korean population

AIM: To evaluate the association of glutathione S-transferase mu (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase theta (GSTT1) null genotypes with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in a South Korean population.METHODS: We conducted a population-based, largescale case-control study including 2213 GCs, 1829 CRCs, and 1699 controls. Null and non-null genotypesof GSTM1 and GSTT1 were determined using realtime PCR.RESULTS: The null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were not signifi cantly associated with elevated risk of gastric (OR = 1.070, 95% CI = 0.935-1.224; OR = 1.101, 95% CI = 0.963-1.259, respectively) or colorec-tal cancer (OR = 1.065, 95% CI = 0.923-1.228; OR = 1.041, 95% CI = 0.903-1.200, respectively). The frequency of the combined null GST genotype was not different between the two cancer groups and controls. Moreover, smoking, drinking, and age did not modify the association between these genotypes and the risk of gastric or colorectal cancer.CONCLUSION: GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were not associated with increased risk of GC or CRC in Koreans.

Molecular cloning and differential expression patterns of sigma and omega glutathione S-transferases from Venerupis philippinarum to heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene exposure

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a class of enzymes that facilitate the detoxification of xenobiotics, and also play important roles in antioxidant defense. We identified two glutathione S-transferase isoforms (VpGSTS, sigma GST; VpGSTO, omega GST) from Venerupis philippinarum by RACE approaches. The open reading frames of VpGSTS and VpGSTO were of 612 bp and 729 bp, encoding 203 and 242 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 22.88 and 27.94 kDa, respectively. The expression profiles of VpGSTS and VpGSTO responded to heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure were investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The expression of VpGSTS and VpGSTO were both rapidly up-regulated, however, they showed differential expression patterns to different toxicants. Cd displayed stronger induction of VpGSTS expression with an approximately 12-fold increase than that of VpGSTO with a maximum 6.4-fold rise. Cu exposure resulted in similar expression patterns for both VpGSTS and VpGSTO. For B[a]P exposure, the maximum induction of VpGSTO was approximately two times higher than that of VpGSTS. Altogether, these findings implied the involvement of VpGSTS and VpGSTO in host antioxidant responses, and highlighted their potential as a biomarker to Cd and B[a]P exposure.

Mapping the Antigenic Peptides of Sm26/2 in Glutathione S-Transferases of Schistosoma Mansoni

Six antigenic peptides of Sm26/2 glutathione S-transferase of schistosoma mansoni have been predicted according to their hydrophilicity, flexibility, accessibility, charge distribution and beta-turn in the secondary structure by the determination of its primary structure, and synthesized by solid phase method. Two of them showed good antigenicity by Dot-ELISA. They would be candidate peptides of synthetic anti-schistosomal vaccine.

周氏啮小蜂CcGSTS1基因的克隆·蛋白表达纯化及酶学特征分析

鉴定一个编码周氏啮小蜂谷胱甘肽S-转移酶序列的全长基因CcGSTS1,系统发育分析发现,该基因与丽蝇蛹集金小蜂NvGSTS6基因具有高同源性。体外表达、纯化的重组CcGSTS1可催化CDNB与GSH结合,最适反应pH为7.0。该试验为进一步研究周氏啮小蜂CcGSTS1基因功能奠定基础。

Modification of the Genetic Polymorphism of Glutathione-S-Transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) in Motorcycle Drivers Exposed to BTEX in Cotonou

The glutathione-S-transferase genes mainly the GSTM1 and GSTT1 alleles are responsible for the synthesis of detoxication enzymes that can remove toxic substances. The objective of this study is to seek changes in the genetic polymorphism of glutathione-S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 in motorcycle drivers exposed to BTEX. Our study group consists of 60 motorcycle drivers including 30 professional and 30 non-professional. Blood samples were preleveled from the study population in the EDTA tubes and DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method. The PCR technique was used to determine the presence or absence of genes. Our results showed that the percentage of GSTM1 null genotype has a statistically significant difference (P = 0.02), while the percentage of GSTT1 null genotype was non-significant (P = 0.76) between the two groups. The percentage of deletion of both genes is higher in professional than non-professional motorcycle drivers. Air pollution in Cotonou by BTEX seems to influence the deletion of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes at a higher percentage among professional than non-professional motorcycle drivers.

GSTP1通过调控STAT3信号通路促进乳腺癌细胞增殖与阿霉素耐药

目的 探讨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶P1(GSTP1)对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖与阿霉素耐药性的影响及其作用机制。方法 Western blotting检测野生型乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和阿霉素耐药乳腺癌细胞MCF-7/ADR中的GSTP1表达量,通过在MCF-7细胞中转染Flag-GSTP1质粒过表达GSTP1,在MCF-7/ADR细胞中转染GSTP1敲低慢病毒(shGSTP1)干扰GSTP1表达;平板克隆形成实验、CCK-8法和流式细胞术检测转染后乳腺癌细胞的增殖能力、阿霉素耐药性及凋亡水平的变化。Western blotting检测GSTP1表达水平的变化对STAT3通路激活的影响。结果 GSTP1在MCF-7细胞中表达量极低,且显著低于MCF-7/ADR细胞系。GSTP1过表达的MCF-7/ADR细胞克隆形成数量显著多于野生型MCF-7细胞(P<0.05)。过表达GSTP1显著提升了MCF-7细胞的增殖能力,而在MCF-7/ADR细胞系干扰GSTP1表达水平后显著抑制了细胞增殖能力(P<0.05)。CCK-8结果显示,在0.1、1、10、50μmol/ml不同浓度的阿霉素处理下,GSTP1表达水平与MCF-7细胞对阿霉素的耐药性呈正相关(P<0.05)。流式细胞术检测结果显示,GSTP1过表达组(Flag-GSTP1)和对照组(Flag)的凋亡率分别为(11.41±1.16)%和(21.1±1.72)%,GSTP1过表达显著抑制了阿霉素诱导的细胞凋亡(P<0.05)。Western blotting检测结果显示,GSTP1的过表达激活了STAT3信号通路,同时在MCF-7/ADR细胞系中抑制STAT3显著降低了GSTP1的表达水平(P<0.05)。结论 GSTP1通过上调STAT3表达调节乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖能力和对阿霉素的耐药性。

山新杨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶编码基因PdbGSTU功能分析

【目的】本研究旨在通过分析山新杨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶编码基因PdbGSTU的抗病功能,为林木抗性育种提供基因资源与抗性种质。【方法】克隆PdbGSTU基因序列并对其进行生物信息学分析,利用荧光定量PCR技术分析该基因的组织特异性表达及植物激素诱导下的表达模式。利用转基因技术获得山新杨的过/抑制表达PdbGSTU基因植株,通过观察比较接种细链格孢菌后各植株叶片的表型和病斑面积,验证该基因的抗病功能;同时测定接种病原菌前后,野生型和转基因山新杨植株内过氧化氢含量和抗氧化相关酶活性。【结果】(1)山新杨PdbGSTU基因开放阅读框全长753 bp,编码氨基酸250个,对应的蛋白质相对分子质量为29.01 kDa,为稳定的酸性亲水蛋白,定位于细胞质中;系统进化分析显示,PdbGSTU蛋白与银中杨的蛋白KAJ6918316亲缘关系最近;启动子序列分析显示,PdbGSTU基因启动子序列含多种响应植物激素和逆境胁迫的顺式作用元件。(2)RT-qPCR结果显示,PdbGSTU基因在山新杨顶芽表达量最高,在其根部表达量最低,且该基因受茉莉酸甲酯、水杨酸和1-氨基环丙基-1-羧酸3种植物激素诱导,均上调表达。(3)接种细链格孢菌后,野生型和抑制表达PdbGSTU基因植株的叶片上,病斑面积分别为6.42和16.46 mm2,而过表达PdbGSTU基因的植株叶片上,少部分接种点出现明显病斑,其余接种部分仅出现褪色。【结论】PdbGSTU正向参与山新杨对细链格孢菌侵染的抵御过程,可通过清除活性氧提高杨树对病原菌的抗性。

重金属汞胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔GPx和GST基因表达分析

为研究重金属汞胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GPx)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(glutathione-S-transferase,GST)基因的表达情况,用汞对指示生物菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)进行单一慢性暴露试验,分别在0、12、24 h以及2、3、4、5、6、7和8 d时检测菲律宾蛤仔内脏团和鳃中GPx和GST基因的表达情况。结果表明,菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中GPx和GST基因的表达量都呈现波动变化趋势,分别在24和12 h时表达量最高(P<0.05),6 d时GPx基因表达量最低(P>0.05),3 d时GST基因表达量最低(P<0.05);GPx基因在鳃中的表达量在8 d时最高(P<0.05);鳃中GST基因的表达量在5 d时最高(P<0.05)。以上结果表明汞暴露在短期内能够诱导GPx和GST基因进行不同程度的表达,但其随着时间的延长呈明显的抑制作用。该研究结果为揭示重金属汞对菲律宾蛤仔的毒性机理提供了理论依据。

山新杨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶PdbGST基因的克隆与胁迫表达分析

在植物中,谷胱甘肽S-转移酶是一类多功能酶,能够在其响应非生物胁迫中发挥作用。为研究该基因在杨树中的功能,本研究克隆了山新杨谷胱甘肽S-转移酶基因Pdb GST及其启动子序列,对其进行生物信息学分析和表达特征分析。结果显示,Pdb GST基因的开放阅读框(ORF)全长666 bp,编码221个氨基酸,其形成的蛋白质相对分子质量为25.57 k Da,为稳定亲水性酸性蛋白,定位于细胞质中。系统进化分析表明,山新杨Pdb GST蛋白与山新杨中的XP_034926648蛋白的同源性最高。对克隆获取的2 000 bp启动子序列进行分析,结构显示该启动子序列中,含有多种响应非生物胁迫的顺式作用元件。荧光定量PCR分析显示Pdb GST基因在山新杨根部表达量最高,其次在山新杨叶部也有较高表达量,相反在山新杨顶芽中表达量最低。此外,对Pdb GST基因响应非生物胁迫分析显示,山新杨根部Pdb GST基因受诱导后即出现持续且大量的表达。

Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase mu 1 and theta 1 genes and hepatocellular carcinoma in southern Guangxi, China

AIM: Glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and theta 1(GSTT1) genes are involved in the metabolism of a wide range of carcinogens, but deletions of the genes are commonly found in the population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk.METHODS: The genetic polymorphisms were studied at an aflatoxin highly contaminated region in Guangxi, China.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in blood samples. The case group was composed of 181 patients of HCC identified by the pathologists and the control group was composed of 360 adults without any tumor.RFSULTS: The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes in the control were 47.8% and 42.7%, while those in the HCC group were 64.6% and 59.7%, respectively. The differences between HCC group and control group were very significant (P＜0.01). GSTM1 and GSTT1 combined null genotypes in HCC group and control group were 38.2% and 18.5%respectively, and the difference was significant (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with an increased risk of HCC in a special geographic environment. Combination of the two null genotypes in an individual is substantially increased twice the risk of HCC.

Alterations of glutathione S-transferase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expressions are early events in esophageal carcinogenesis

AIM: To investigate the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expres-sions in the development and progression of reflux es-ophagitis-Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the esophagus.METHODS: GST and MMP-9 expressions were analyzed in 51 paraffin-embedded tissue samples by immunohisto-chemistry including patients with reflux esophagitis (n = 7), Barrett’s metaplasia (n = 14), Barrett and esophagi-tis (n = 8), Barrett and dysplasia (n = 7), esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 8) and a control group without any histological changes (n = 7). Immunostaining was determined semiquantitatively. Statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA, LSD test and correlation analysis were performed. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS: GST expression was significantly higher while MMP-9 expression was significantly lower in control group compared to Barrett’s metaplasia and the other groups. No major changes were observed between Bar-rett, esophagitis, and Barrett and concomitant esophagi-tis. Barrett and concomitant dysplasia, and adenocarci-noma revealed a significant lower expression of GST and higher levels of MMP-9 compared to all other groups. Adenocarcinoma showed almost no expression of GST and significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than Barrett and concomitant dysplasia. Alterations of GST and MMP-9 were inversely correlated (r = - 0.82).CONCLUSION: Decreased GST and increased ex-pression of MMP-9 in Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence as compared to normal tissue suggest their association with esophageal tumorigenesis. Loss of GST and gain of MMP-9 in Barrett with dyspla-sia compared to non-dysplastic metaplasia indicate that these alterations may be early events in carcinogenesis. Quantification of these parameters in Barrett’s esopha-gus might be useful to identify patients at higher risk for progression to cancer.

Response of Glutathione and Glutathione S-transferase in Rice Seedlings Exposed to Cadmium Stress

A hydroponic culture experiment was done to investigate the effect of Cd stress on glutathione content （GSH） and glutathione S-transferase （GST, EC 2.5.1,18） activity in rice seedlings. The rice growth was severely inhibited when Cd level in the solution was higher than 10 mg/L. In rice shoots, GSH content and GST activity increased with the increasing Cd level, while in roots, GST was obviously inhibited by Cd treatments, Compared with shoots, the rice roots had higher GSH content and GST activity, indicating the ability of Cd detoxification was much higher in roots than in shoots. There was a significant correlation between Cd level and GSH content or GST activity, suggesting that both parameters may be used as biomarkers of Cd stress in rice.

Polymorphisms of the oxidant enzymes glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase and their association with resistance of Plasmodium falciparum isolates to antimalarial drugs

Objective:To investigate the association between amplification of the two regulatory genes controlling glutathione(GSH) levels,glutathione reductase(PfGR) and glutathione S-transferase (PfGST) genes and sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) isolates collected from different malaria endemic areas of Thailand to standard antimalarial drugs.Methods:A total of 70 P.falciparum isolates were collected from endemic areas of multi-drug resistance (Tak,Chantaburi and Ranong Provinces) during the year 2008-2009.The in vitro assessment of antimalarial activity of P.falciparum clones(K1- and Dd2 chloroquine resistant and 3D7- chloroquine sensitive) and isolates to chloroquine,quinine,mefloquine and arteusnate was performed based on SYBR Green modified assay.Results:68(97.14%),11(15.71%) and 28(40%) isolates respectively were classified as chloroquine-,quinine- and mefloquine-resistant isolates. With this limited number of P.falciparum isolates included in the analysis,no significant association between amplification of PfGST gene and sensitivity of the parasite to chloroquine, quinine,mefloquine and quinine was found.Based on PCR analysis,Dd2,Kl and 3D7 clones all contained only one copy of the PfGST gene.All isolates(70) also carried only one copy number of PfGST gene.There appears to be an association between amplification of PfGR gene and chloroquine resistance.The 3D7 and Dd2 clones were found to carry only one PfGR gene copy, whereas the K1 clone carried two gene copies.Conclusions:Chloroquine resistance is likely to be a consequence of multi-factors and enzymes in the GSH system may be partly involved. Larger number of parasite isolates are required to increase power of the hypothesis testing in order to confirm the involvement of both genes as well as other genes implicated in glutathione metabolism in conferring chloroquine resistance.

STUDY OF THE DELETION MUTATION OF GLUTATHIONE S TRANSFERASE M1 GENE AND ITS ROLE IN SUSCEPTIBILITYTO HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objection: To investigate the glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene inherent deletion and its relation to prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Guangxi, China. Methods: The GSTM1 gene polymorphism of 120 HCC patients and 100 healthy subjects both from the same high aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contaminated area were detected using PCR technique with special primers. Another 40 patients from AFB1 low risk area were also tested. Results: In HCC high risk area, it was found that the frequencies of GSTM1 null genotype in HCC patients and healthy subjects were 59% and 51% respectively, with no significant difference. However, the frequency of GSTM1-null genotype in control group from AFB1 low risk area was lower than those from high risk area (P<0.01). Conclusion: Populations in this HCC endemic region show a higher rate of GSTM1-null genotype, which may be partially responsible for the susceptibility to AFB1 induced HCC. But the detoxification effect of GSTM1 alone is not sufficient to resist the genetic toxicity of AFB1, especially in those people who expose to excess AFB1. The GSTM1 gene deletion would not be suitable as an independent predictor of susceptibility to HCC.

Vegetable/fruit, smoking, glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and risk for colorectal cancer in Taiwan

AIM: To investigate the colorectal cancer risk associated with polymorphic GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 and the effect of diet and smoking.METHODS: With consents, genotypes of the genes were determined using PCR methods for 727 cases and 736sex and age-matched healthy controls recruited at a medical center in the Northern Taiwan. Nurses who were blind to the study hypothesis conducted interviews with study participants for the information of socio-demographic variables, diet and smoking.RESULTS: There was no significant association between GSTM1 genotypes and the disease. Men, not women, with GSTT1 null genotype were at significant risk of colorectal cancer, but limited to rectal tumor, and in men aged 60 years and less. The corresponding association with the GSTP1 with G allele compared to GSTP1 A/A genotype was at borderline significance. Compared to men with GSTT1 present and GSTP1 A/A combined, men with both GSTT1 null and GSTP1 with G allele genotypes were at significant risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21-3.02), also limited to the rectal tumor and younger men. The beneficial effects of vegetable/fruit intake on colorectal cancer were much higher for men with GSTT1 present (OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.20-0.50) or GSTP1 A/A genotypes (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.25-0.64).These effects remained significant for women. But, the greatest protective effect from vegetable/fruit intake for women was observed in those with GSTT1 null or GSTP1 with G allele genotypes. In addition, non-smoking men benefitted significantly from combined effect of higher vegetable/fruit intake and GSTT1 present or GSTP1 A/A genotypes with OR = 0.17 and 0.21 respectively.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the GSTT1 gene can modulate the colorectal cancer risk and vegetable/fruit-related colorectal cancer risk, particularly in men of no smoking history.