Mating pheromone‐like diffusible factor released by Schizosaccharomyces pombe

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Abstract
We demonstrate that a diffusible factor is secreted by h− cells of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, whose mating pheromones have not been described. This factor, tentatively named the h−‐factor, affects h+ S. pombe cells and induces their elongation under nitrogen‐depleted conditions. Circumstantial evidence suggests its physiological significance in the mating process. Despite their sterility, h− ras1− cells secrete this factor. However, h+ ras1− cells have apparently lost the ability to respond to it. This may suggest that the gene product of S. pombe ras1, a homologue of mammalian ras oncogenes, is involved in the mechanism for responding to mating pheromones.