Sexual cell agglutination in relation to the formation of zygotes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The ratio of a to α cells in the sexual cell aggregates was consistently about one regardless of the ratio of a to α cells at the initial mixing. Conjugating cells seemed to be formed exclusively in the aggregates during mixed culture of a and α cells. Large cells with buds (L cells) and small cells without buds (S celb) were separated from a logarithmic culture by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. L Cells showed higher sexual agglutinability than S cells in a mating type, but such difference was not detected in a mating type. The same tendency was observed in cells dividing synchronously. Based on the above results, the biological significance of sexual agglutination in the mating reaction is discussed.