The alpha factor pheromone arrests yeast in the G1 phase of their cell cycle. Alpha Factor Mating Pheromone induces the expression of mating genes, changes in nuclear architecture, and polarzes growth toward the mating partner.

3-甲硫基丙酸是蛋氨酸（尤其是 D-蛋氨酸）的代谢物之一。林肯链霉菌培养物积累的 3-甲基硫代丙烯酸的量与培养基中甲硫氨酸的浓度直接相关。该途径中的第一个中间体可能是酮酸，然后将其氧化脱羧成3-甲硫基丙酸。

对羟基扁桃酸是对章鱼胺和对辛弗林（对去氧肾上腺素）的酸性代谢产物。它也是酪胺的天然代谢物。