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.