At fertilization, the remodelling of the sperm nucleus into the male pronucleus is critical for normal development. Morphological and functional changes to the nucleus are underpinned by biochemical changes in the chromatin composition, most notably the removal of sperm specific protamines and assembly of histones onto the paternal DNA. This exchange is controlled by oocyte factors, as exemplified in Xenopus by nucleoplasmin. Though mammalian factors remain unidentified, a functional assay based on antibodies recognizing core histones has been developed to test the activity in oocytes that transfers histones onto sperm DNA, named histone transfer activity (HTA). The assay was applied to growing and maturing murine oocytes to determine when during oogenesis HTA develops, and to probe potential regulatory mechanisms. Fully-grown oocytes develop HTA upon maturation, in a protein-synthesis dependent manner. Large, growing oocytes also develop HTA upon entry into M-phase. Small growing meiotically incompetent oocytes, ones that do not spontaneously enter M-phase, do not develop HTA, though this can be overcome by culture of oocytes to meiotic competence, or by treatment with strontium to induce intracellular calcium oscillations. Taken together these findings form a model of how HTA develops throughout oogenesis. Finally, an attempt is made to identify a potential mammalian HTA factor. Transcripts for two remodelling factors, mNAP and Npm3, are identified in the murine oocyte, and injection of anti-sense oligonucleotides reveals that Npm3 plays a significant role in the deposition of histories and the remodelling of sperm chromatin at fertilization. Combined with the findings of the HTA assay, the data forms a testable model of how Npm3 may be regulated throughout oogenesis.

Potato is a major part of the human diet in many countries of the world, providing substantial levels of carbohydrate, protein, and vitamins. This study examined the tuber protein content. In the first part of the research, total soluble protein (TSP) and patatin concentration were determined in periderm, cortex, and pith, in tubers of 20 important potato cultivars. TSP concentration was greater in periderm and lesser in cortex and pith tissues. Patatin was present in all tuber tissues but with the opposite pattern, less in periderm and greater in cortex and pith tissues. For intercultivar comparisons, a means of converting the specific tissue-based TSP and patatin data (dry weight) into a uniform weight whole tuber basis was developed. This relied on conversion factor values that were generated from percent weight tissue proportion and percent dry matter for each tissue layer. Cultivars with relatively more or less TSP and patatin in each tissue layer, and on a whole tuber basis, were identified. In the second part of the study, disassembly of chimeral (Russet Burbank) and putatively chimeral (Alpha, Bintje, Red Gold) tubers into their component genotypes was evaluated as a strategy for the production of intraclones with altered protein content. Explants were selected from tissue with greater or lesser protein levels and somatic embryogenesis was used to produce regenerants from each tissue source. Russeting was used as a phenotypic marker and TSP as a biochemical marker. Russet Burbank was confirmed as a periclinal chimera, although chimeral instability was evident, since some non-chimeral regenerants showed displacement of LI tunic cells with the russeting mutation into the pith. Red Gold was "uncovered" as an LII periclinal chimera (Red-Gold-Red). The value of chimeral disassembly in explaining an important component of somatic variation was clearly seen with this cultivar. The inconsistent TSP distribution in Russet Burbank intraclones proved that TSP was not distributed in a periclinal chimeral manner, as initially hypothesized. However, there was clear variation in protein content in the tubers of non-chimeral regenerants. Periclinal chimeral disassembly and somatic embryogenesis are potentially useful technologies for the production of improved intraclones of potato.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1993.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Cairney, John; Committee Member: Merrill, Alfred Jr.; Committee Member: Nichols, Wylie; Committee Member: Pullman, Jerry; Committee Member: Streelman,Todd.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Literature referred to: p. 236-242. Reprinted from Annals of the New York academy of sciences, October 1903, vol. XIV, no. 3.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell university, 1912. / "Literature cited":p. 538-541. Also issued in print.

Thesis--Lund. / Extra t.p., with thesis note, inserted. Imprint on cover: Lund. Gleerupska univ.-bokhandeln. Bibliography: p. [125]-129.

Thesis--University of Michigan, 1931. / Cover title. "Papers from the Department of Botany, University of Michigan, no. 359." "Reprinted from the American journal of botany, vol. XIX, no. 4 ... April, 1932." "Literature cited": p. 381-383.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 125 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-125).

Thesis--University of Michigan, 1931. / Cover title. "Papers from the Department of Botany, University of Michigan, no. 359." "Reprinted from the American journal of botany, vol. XIX, no. 4 ... April, 1932." "Literature cited": p. 381-383.