ChemBioChem
August 11, 2018
Felix Blei, Janis Fricke, Jonas Wick et al.
31 citations
Abstract Psilocybe mushrooms are best known for their l ‐tryptophan‐derived psychotropic alkaloid psilocybin. Dimethylation of norbaeocystin, the precursor of psilocybin, by the enzyme PsiM is a critical step during the biosynthesis of psilocybin. However, the “magic” mushroom Psilocybe serbica also mono‐ and dimethylates l ‐tryptophan, which is incompatible with the specificity of PsiM. Here,...
Chemistry - A European Journal
July 16, 2018
Janis Fricke, Claudius Lenz, Jonas Wick et al.
52 citations
Abstract The fungal genus Psilocybe and other genera comprise numerous mushroom species that biosynthesize psilocybin (4‐phosphoryloxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine). It represents the prodrug to its dephosphorylated psychotropic analogue, psilocin. The colloquial term “magic mushrooms” for these fungi alludes to their hallucinogenic effects and to their use as recreational drugs. However,...
Metabolic Engineering
May 26, 2018
Sandra Hoefgen, Jun Lin, Janis Fricke et al.
113 citations
Heterologous expression of multi-gene biosynthetic pathways in eukaryotic hosts is limited by highly regulated individual monocistrons. Dissimilar to prokaryotes, each eukaryotic gene is strictly controlled by its own regulatory elements, such as promoter and terminator. Consequently, parallel transcription can occur only when a group of genes is synchronously activated. A strategy to...
Chemistry - A European Journal
May 11, 2018
Felix Blei, Florian Baldeweg, Janis Fricke et al.
51 citations
Abstract Psilocybin (4‐phosphoryloxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine) is the main alkaloid of the fungal genus Psilocybe , the so‐called “magic mushrooms.” The pharmaceutical interest in this psychotropic natural product as a future medication to treat depression and anxiety is strongly re‐emerging. Here, we present an enhanced enzymatic route of psilocybin production by adding TrpB, the tryptophan...
Journal of Natural Products
September 20, 2017
Claudius Lenz, Jonas Wick, Dirk Hoffmeister
62 citations
We report the identification of ω-N-methyl-4-hydroxytryptamine (norpsilocin, 1) from the carpophores of the hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis. The structure was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Norpsilocin has not previously been reported as a natural product. It likely represents the actual psychotropic agent liberated from its...
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
August 1, 2017
Janis Fricke, Felix Blei, Dirk Hoffmeister
210 citations
Abstract Psilocybin is the psychotropic tryptamine‐derived natural product of Psilocybe carpophores, the so‐called “magic mushrooms”. Although its structure has been known for 60 years, the enzymatic basis of its biosynthesis has remained obscure. We characterized four psilocybin biosynthesis enzymes, namely i) PsiD, which represents a new class of fungal l ‐tryptophan decarboxylases, ii) PsiK,...
Angewandte Chemie
August 1, 2017
Janis Fricke, Felix Blei, Dirk Hoffmeister
26 citations
Abstract Psilocybin ist der psychotrope, vom Tryptamin abgeleitete Naturstoff der Psilocybe‐Fruchtkörper, der so genannten “Zauberpilze”. Obwohl dessen Struktur seit 60 Jahren bekannt ist, blieb die enzymatische Grundlage ihrer Biosynthese ungeklärt. Wir charakterisierten vier Psilocybin‐Biosyntheseenzyme, nämlich i) PsiD, welches zu einer neuen Klasse pilzlicher l ‐Tryptophan‐Decarboxylasen...