GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS OF ALCOHOL METABOLIZING ENZYMES RELATED TO ALCOHOL SENSITIVITY AND ALCOHOLIC DISEASES

Indiciduals with the atypical aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH₂²allele, both homozygous and heterozygous status, are alcoholsensitive and have a markedly reduced risk of developing alcoholicdiseases. Genetic abnormalities of the ALDH₁ locus are alsoassociated with alcohol flushing. The ALDH₃ and ALDH_x, lociare polymorphic and their variations may affect the developmentof alcoholic diseases. The variations of alcohol dehydrogenaseADH₂ and ADH₃ loci have no profound effects on alcohol sensitivity.The newly identified ADH₆ gene has hormone response elements,and it may cause the gender difference in alcoholic problems.