Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a diffusible sex factor.

A hormone-like substance is secreted by alpha mating-type cells of heterothallic yeast strains. It induces in cells of the opposite mating type, a, a morphological change characteristic of the mating process. Secretion of this substance and mating ability have some common genetic determinants. In partially purified preparations, the substance has properties of an oligopeptide.