Dr. Lawrence R. Curtis Professor, Department Head Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Oregon State University Education: Ph.D. 1980, University of Mississippi Medical Center Research interests: The general objective of my research is to increase understanding of cellular level processes that determine bioaccumulation of persistent environmental contaminants. The role of binding proteins that traffick fat soluble xenobiotics within liver cells is of special interest. Our work shows that exposure to low concentrations of certain persistent organochlorines, diene insecticides, enhances storage of subsequent doses in fat. These same exposures alter disposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in liver. The working hypothesis is that low doses of diene insecticides induce hepatic binding proteins that traffick fat soluble xenobiotics to smooth endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi complexes. Ongoing protein purification work will enhance our ability to study regulation of these binding protein and characterize their role in bioaccumulation and actions of persistent organocholorines. Selected publications: Foster, E. P. and L.R. Curtis. (1999). 2,2',4,4',5,5' - 3,3',4,4',5,5'- Hexachlorobiphenyl pretreatments alter the biliary excretion of a challenge dose of 7,12-[3H] dimethyl benz[a]anthracene in rainbow trout. Can. J. Fish Aqua. Sci. 56:1-8. Donohoe, R.M., Q. Zhang, L. K. Siddens, H.M. Carpenter, J. D. Hendricks and L. R. Curtis. (1998). Modulation of 7.12-dimethyl benz[a]anthracene disposition and hepatocarcinogenesis by dieldrin and chlordecone in rainbow trout. J. Toxicol. Environ. Hlth. 54:227-242. Allen-Gil, S.M., C.P. Gubala, R.W., Wilson, D.H. Landers, T.L. Wade, J.L. Sericano and L.R. Curtis. (1997). Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in U.S. Arctic aquatic ecosystems. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 33:378-387. Carpenter, H.M., O.R. Hedstrom, L.K. Siddens, J.R. Duimstra, Z.W. Cai, K.A. Fisher and L.R. Curtis, 1996. Ultrastructural, protein, and lipid changes associated with chlordecone treatment of mice. Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 34:157-164. Gilroy, D.J. Miranda, L.S. Siddens, D.R. Buhler and L.R. Curtis. (1996). Dieldrin pretreatment alters [14C] dieldrin and [3H] 7, 12- dimethylbenzanthracene uptake in rainbow trout liver slices. Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 30:187-193.