Shanle, Erin - Date Last Updated: 10/14/2009

Erin Shanle - Email
PhD Candidate - Started Fall 2008
Hometown: Rochester, IL
Wei Xu, PhD

Undergraduate Work
2008 - BS in Chemistry and BA in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Why I Joined METC
The METC program approaches toxicology from an environmental perspective and a cellular/molecular perspective. The faculty affiliated with the program are from a variety of disciplines which allows diverse opportunities for research. There is a strong emphasis on research which is great preparation for a career in research. Madison is also a beautiful location.

Research
In normal mammary tissue, estrogen regulates proliferation and differentiation through two estrogen receptors: ERa and ERb. ERa is well-characterized and promotes proliferation when bound to estrogen. ERb was first identified in 1996 and recent evidence suggests it opposes ERa mediated proliferation and promotes differentiation. Nearly 75% of breast cancers express ERa which correlates with increased disease-free survival probability and overall better prognosis. However, 15-20% of breast cancers do not express ERa or other therapeutic targets including epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) and progesterone receptor (PR). This class of breast cancers known as triple negative breast cancer has a poor prognosis and correlates with reduced disease-free survival probability. Few treatments are available triple negative (TN) breast cancer and doctors must rely on general cytotoxic chemotherapies and radiation. My thesis project aims to improve treatment of triple negative breast cancer by determining the effects of environmental estrogens on potential therapies of triple negative breast cancer using in vitro and in vivo models. First, I will determine if ERb selective agonists, many of which are phytoestrogens found in the diet, can inhibit cell growth in TN breast cancer cells. It is estimated that 50-60% of TN breast cancers express ERb and ERb may be an effective therapeutic target. Additionally, my thesis project will examine the impact of BPA on the inhibitory effects of chemotherapy or ERb-selective agonists in TN breast cancer cells. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common plasticizer used to make a variety of products including food and beverage containers. BPA can leach into food and beverages and has been detected in human serum at levels ranging from 0.2 - 20 ng/mL. It has been shown that BPA treatment at low nanomolar doses can protect cells from the inhibitory effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be less effective in breast cancer patients with higher BPA serum levels and this is a critical consideration for patients diagnosed with TN breast cancer since few other treatment options are available. I will also determine if BPA can interfere with the effectiveness of ERb-selective agonists.

Publications

Anterola A, Shanle E, Mansouri K, Schuette S, Renzaglia K. Gibberellin precursor is involved in spore germination in the moss Physcomitrella patens. Planta, 2009, 229(4): 1003-1007
Anterola A, Shanle E, Perroud PF, Quatrano R. Production of taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene by transgenic Physcomitrella patens. Transgenic Research, 2009, [Epub ahead of print}
Anterola A, Shanle E. 2008. Genomic insights in moss gibberellin biosynthesis. The Bryologist. 111, 218-230.

Poster/Presentation

Shanle, E; Crandall-Stotler, B; Anterola, A. 2008. Effects of gibberellin and a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor on spore germination in the liverwort Fossombronia crassifolia Spruce. 100th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Urbana-Champaign, IL. Awarded Best Poster for the Botany Division.
Shanle, E; Anterola, A; Vidal-Russel, R. 2007. ent-Kaurene and Kauran-16-ol Formation in the Moss Physcomitrella patens: Functional Identification of a Unique Diterpene Cyclase. Southern Illinois University Annual Undergraduate Research Forum, Carbondale, IL. Awarded First Place.

Date Last Updated: 10/14/2009 webteam@med.wisc.edu