The two subtypes of estrogen receptor, ERa and ERb, carry out non-overlapping functions inreproductive biology. ERb is capable of both interfering with ERa function and exerting its biological activityindependent of ERa. It remains unclear how the ERa-independent and ERa-competing functions of ERb areregulated. We recently made the pioneering discovery of an ERb-specific phosphotyrosine switch thatregulates ERb function in reproductive organs.

OverallSystems Analysis of Epigenomic Architecture in Cancer ProgressionDespite anti-hormone therapies in patients, the cognate receptors ER? and AR can remain functional tosupport oncogenic signaling for advanced progression of breast and prostate cancers. Intensive studies haveuncovered cellular and biochemical changes underlying the development of hormone resistance. However,epigenetic mechanisms for establishing and maintaining a hormone-resistant phenotype remain to beexplored.

Microtubule stabilizing agents (MSAs) are some of the most widely used and effective therapies availablefor the treatment of solid tumors. However, their utility is compromised by innate and acquired drugresistance. The taccalonolides (taccas) are a mechanistically unique class of MSAs that circumventmultiple clinically relevant forms of drug resistance. Multiple potent taccas identified by our laboratorieshave effective antitumor activity in drug sensitive and resistant in vivo models but suffer from a narrowtherapeutic window.

Advancing the Science of Cancer in LatinosProject Summary/AbstractThe proposed conference, ?Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos,? would occur February21-23, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas.