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ACS Chemical Biology

ISSN 1554-8937

2 papers in the library · 63 citations · publishing 2016-2018

Papers

Monoamine Biosynthesis via a Noncanonical Calcium-Activatable Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase in Psilocybin Mushroom

ACS Chemical Biology November 28, 2018 Michael P. Torrens-Spence, Chun‐ting Liu, Tomáš Pluskal et al. 40 citations

A newly characterized enzyme from the psilocybin mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, called PcncAAAD, can decarboxylate several aromatic amino acids—including L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, and L-tyrosine—as well as chloro-tryptophan derivatives. Unlike previously known aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylases (AAADs) in mammals and plants, this enzyme belongs to a different protein family and contains a unique C-terminal double-β-barrel domain that binds calcium, which is required for its activity and thermal stability. The enzyme likely contributes to psilocybin biosynthesis and offers a new tool for engineering production of aromatic-amino-acid-derived natural products.

DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00821 (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Serotonin Monoamine neurotransmitter Biosynthesis +4

Deconstructing the Iboga Alkaloid Skeleton: Potentiation of FGF2-induced Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Release by a Novel Compound.

ACS Chemical Biology January 15, 2016 Madalee M Gassaway, Teresa L Jacques, Andrew C Kruegel et al. 23 citations

A novel iboga analog, XL-008, induces release of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in C6 glioma cells. It also potentiates GDNF release induced by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), increasing potency more than 2-fold (from 7.85 ± 2.59 ng/mL to 3.31 ± 0.98 ng/mL) and efficacy more than 3-fold. The GDNF release by both XL-008 and the FGF2/XL-008 mixture is mediated through the MEK and PI3K signaling pathways but not through PLCγ. This work describes a small-molecule approach to modulating growth factor signaling in the brain, relevant to treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.

DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00678 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Addiction Neuroprotection Brain protection Neurological protection +22