Bruce White

Research Interests

Networks involving estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) signaling, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and microRNA expression and function in breast cancer cell lines. Specifically, we have been studying the the role of the microRNA, miR-206, in the switch from ERα-positive, “Luminal A” cell types to ERα-negative “Basal-like” cells in response to overexpression or overstimulation of EGFR. We have also recently utilized deep sequencing to identify all estrogen/ERα-regulated microRNAs in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell type. We are also examining the regulation by dietary anti-cancer substances (e.g., DIM) of microRNA expression. Another interest is the hormonal regulation of enzymes and effector proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis and function. For example, we recently showed that Argonaute 2 is upregulated in EGFR-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells, and this upregulation is dependent on posttranslational regulation of Argonaute 2 by the MAPK pathway.

New Research Opportunities

Inquire in Spring 2010.

Recent cover of Molecular Endocrinology - Full size

Recent Publications:

Journal articles
Smith, P.M., Cowan, A., and White, B.A. (2004) Endocrinology 145, 3075-3083. The LDL receptor is regulated by estrogen and forms a functional complex with the estrogen-regulated protein ezrin in pituitary GH3 somatolactotropes.

Adams, B.D., Furneaux, H., and White, B.A. (2007) Mol. Endocrinology 21:1132-1147. The micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) miR-206 targets the human estrogen receptor-? (er?-?) and represses ER? messenger RNA and protein expression in breast cancer cell lines (see cover of journal above).

Adams, B.D., Claffey, K., and White, B.A. (2009) Endocrinology 150:14-23. Argonaute-2 Expression is Regulated by EGFR/MAPK Signaling and Correlates with a Transformed Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells.

Adams B.D., Cowee, D.M., and White, BA (2009) Mol. Endocrinology 23: 1215-1230. The role of the microRNA, miR-206, in the EGF-induced switch from a “Luminal” phenotype to a “Basal” phenotype with myoepithelial differentiation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Gutilla, I.K., and White, B.A. (2009) J. Biol. Chemistry (in press). Coordinate regulation of FOXO1 by miR-27a, miR-96, and miR-182 in breast cancer cells.

Book and Book Chapters
Porterfield, SP & White, BA (2007) “Endocrine Physiology”, 3rd Edition, Mosby/Elsevier, Philadelphia.

White, BA (2008) Section VIII: The Endocrine & Reproductive Systems (Chapters 37-43) In: Berne & Levy Physiology, 6th Edition (Koeppen BM & Stanton BA; eds), Mosby/Elsevier, Philadelphia.

Invited Reviews

Adams, B.D., Guttilla, I.K., and White, B.A. (2008) Seminars in Reproductive Medicine 26: 522-536. Involvement of MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer.

White, B.A., Adams, B.D., and Guttilla, I.K. (2009) Trends Endocrinol. Metab. (in press). Regulating the regulators: hormone signaling / microRNA interactions.

Current Graduate Students:

Irene Guttilla, Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology

Past Graduate Students:

Dr. Daniel Lyman, (Ph.D., 1988)
Dr. Gregory Preston (Ph.D., 1990)
Dr. John Lynch (MD/Ph.D., Ph.D., 1992)
Dr. William Billis (Ph.D., 1995)
Ms. Puja Agarwal (M.Sc., 1995)
Dr. Melissa Lail-Trecker (Ph.D., 1996)
Dr. Meimei Hu (Ph.D., 1997)
Dr. Amanda Heinrich (Ph.D., 1999)
Dr. Perry Smith (MD/Ph.D.; successfully defended Ph.D. in 2004)
Brian Adams (Ph.D., 2009)

Department of Cell Biology Faculty