A Drosophila single-strand DNA/RNA-binding factor contains a high-mobility-group box and is enriched in the nucleolus

We have isolated a Drosophila melanogaster cDNA encoding a high-mobility-group (HMG) box-containing protein. This protein shares 50% amino acid identity with the human putative structure-specific recognition protein, hSSRP. The gene encoding the D. melanogaster homolog, DssRP, is developmentally regulated and is expressed most abundantly in ovaries (nurse cells in particular). The protein is localized in nuclei and is particularly abundant in the nucleolus. In vitro binding studies using DssRP produced in bacteria showed that, despite expectation, the protein does not bind to structured DNA. Instead, it binds to single-stranded DNA and RNA, with highest affinity to nucleotides G and U.