In order to elucidate and characterize the signal transduction pathway(s) whereby yeast cells respond to mating pheromone, we have isolated mutants which are able to conjugate in the absence of the alpha-factor receptor. Sixty-one suppressors of a ste2-deletion mutation which also confer a ts conditional "start" arrest phenotypw have been subjected to genetic analysis. The mutants could be assigned to three complementation groups designated CDC70, CDC72 and CDC73, which are unlinked to each other as well as to the previously identified start genes. Quantitation of mating ability of the cdc70, cdc72 and cdc73 mutations in a ste2-deletion background gives levels ranging from 0.1% to 0.3% of wild type, depending on the allele and the gene. The results indicate that the signals from mating pheromone might be mediated by the CDC70, CDC72 and CDC73 products. products.