Environmental & Molecular Toxicology

Lawrence R. Curtis

Associate Dean College of Agricultural Science
Dept.: CAS (138F Strand Hall)
Ph.D. 1980, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Phone: 541-737-1764
Fax: 541-737-0497
Larry.Curtis@oregonstate.edu

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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 traffic 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 traffic 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.

• Villeneuve DL, Curtis LR, Jenkins JJ, Warner KE, Tilton F, Kent ML, Watral VG, Cunningham ME, Markle DF, Sethajintanin D, Krissanakriangkrai O, Johnson ER, Grove R, Anderson KA. (2005). Environmental stresses and skeletal deformities in fish from the Willamette River, Oregon. Environ Sci Technol. 39(10):3495-506.
• Mottaleb, M.A., X. Zhao, L.R. Curtis, G.W. Sovocool (2004). Formation of nitro musk adducts of rainbow trout hemoglobin for potential use as biomarkers of exposure. Aquatic Toxicology. 67:315-324.
• Buchwalter DB, Sandahl JF, Jenkins JJ, Curtis LR. (2004). Roles of uptake, biotransformation, and target site sensitivity in determining the differential toxicity of chlorpyrifos to second to fourth instar Chironomous riparius (Meigen). Aquat Toxicol. 66(2):149-57.
• Barnhill, M.L., M.V.M. Rosemond, L.R. Curtis (2003). Dieldrin Stimulates Biliary Excretion of 14C-Benzo[a]pyrene Polar Metabolites but Does Not Change the Biliary Metabolite Profile in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss). Toxicological Sciences. 75:249-259.
• Buchwalter, D.B., J.J. Jenkins, and L.R. Curtis (2003). Temperature influences on water permeability and chlorpyrifos uptake in aquatic insects with differing respiratory strategies. Environmental Tocicology and Chemistry. 22:2806-2812.
• Buchwalter, D.B., J.J. Jenkins, and L.R. Curtis (2002). Respiratory strategy is a major determinant of [3H]water and [14C]chlorpyrifos uptake in aquatic insects. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Vol. 59: Number 8
• El-Zahr, C.R., Zhang, Q., Hendricks, J.D., and Curtis, L.R. (2002). Temperature-modulated carcinogenicity of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in rainbow trout. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 65(11):787-802.
• Curtis, L.R. (2001). Toxicological Highlight: Organophosphate Antagonism of the Androgen Receptor. Toxicological Sciences. 60: 1-2.
• Palace, V.P., S.M. Allen-Gil, S.B. Brown, R.E. Evans, D.A. Metner, D.H. Landers, L.R. Curtis, J.F. Klaverkamp, C.L. Baron and W.L. Lockhart (2001). Vitamin and thyroid status in arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) exposed to doses of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl that induce the phase I enzyme system. Chemosphere. 45: 185-193.
• Curtis, L.R., M.J. Hemmer and L.A. Courtney (2000). Dieldrin induces cytosolic [3H]7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene binding but not multidrug resistance proteins in rainbow trout liver. J. Toxicol. Environ. Hlth. 60: 275-189.
• Carlson, D.B., Curtis, L.R. and Williams, D.E. (2000) Salmonid Sexual Development is not Consistently Altered by Embryonic Exposure to Endocrine-Active Chemicals. Environm. Hlth. Perspect. 108:249-255.
• Donohoe, R.M., Zhang, Q., Siddens, L.K., Carpenter, H.M., Hendricks, J.D., Curtis, L.R. (1998). Modulation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene disposition and hepatocarcinogenesis by dieldrin and chlordecone in rainbow trout. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 54(3):227-42.