Drosophila undergo syncytial specification.  Bicoid mRNA is concentrated in the anterior portion of the egg while nanos mRNA is concentrated in the posterior region.  After fertilization, these mRNA are translated into their respective proteins.  Bicoid and nanos proteins form two differing gradients, and the ratio between these two concentrations creates a coordinate system.  This allows the nuclei to position themselves as they divide.  

Syncytial Specification in Drosophila

Michigan State University

Syncytial specification is one mode of cell commitment that utilizes autonomous and conditional specification mechanisms.  It occurs in a cytoplasm that contains multiple nuclei, known as a syncytium.  The cytoplasm contains gradients that control cell fate along the egg cell's anterior-posterior axis.  As nuclei are positioned along the anterior-posterior axis after fertilization, they experience different concentrations of cytoplasmic determinants.  This interaction between the multiple nuclei and the differing amounts of determinants give rise to differing cell fates.  

Syncytial Specification

Barresi, M. J., &amp; Gilbert, S. F. (2020). Developmental Biology (12th ed.). New York: Sinauer.

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