Localized maternal and zygotic expression of the gene encoding Drosophila HMG D.

Eukaryotic high mobility group (HMG) proteins such as Drosophila melanogaster HMG D, are thought to be nonhistone components of chromatin. However, we have observed an unusual sequestering of HMG D maternal mRNA within the periphery of oocytes during late oogenesis and zygotic expression confined to the developing embryonic nervous system. Hence, rather than being ubiquitously expressed, HMG D transcripts display a complex pattern of temporal and spatial localization implying a specialized rather than general role during early fly development.