Induced Production of a Sexual Hormone in Yeast

We have already described that α hormone excreted by α type cells expands cells of α type specifically and α hormone excreted by α type cells expands α type cells in Saccharomyces terevisiae. Both substances are steroidal compounds. In the present experiment the third hormonal substance has been found. a Hormone induced excretion of a methylene chloride-insoluble substance which expands a type cells specifically, when added to a type cells. Testosterone showed the same type of action as that of a hormone. On the other hand, a hormone did not show an action to induce excretion of methylene chloride-insoluble hormonal substance, when added to a type cells. Relation among three hormonal substances described above seems to be important to make clear the mating process of the yeast.