S‐Adenosyl‐l‐Methionine Salvage Impacts Psilocybin Formation in “Magic” Mushrooms
Richard Demmler, Janis Fricke, Sebastian Dörner, Markus Gressler, Dirk Hoffmeister
ChemBioChem December 4, 2019 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900649 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Psilocybe cubensis enzymes (AdoK and SahH) |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Biochemistry Adenosine kinase Biosynthesis Enzyme Nucleoside Natural product |
| Citations | 31 |
| Key findings | Adenosine kinase and SAH hydrolase from Psilocybe cubensis support psilocybin biosynthesis by regenerating SAM and removing inhibitory SAH. |
Abstract
Abstract Psychotropic Psilocybe mushrooms biosynthesize their principal natural product psilocybin in five steps, among them a phosphotransfer and two methyltransfer reactions, which consume one equivalent of 5′‐adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and two equivalents of S ‐adenosyl‐ l ‐methionine (SAM). This short but co‐substrate‐intensive pathway requires nucleoside cofactor salvage to maintain high psilocybin production rates. We characterized the adenosine kinase (AdoK) and S ‐adenosyl‐ l ‐homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase (SahH) of Psilocybe cubensis . Both enzymes are directly or indirectly involved in regenerating SAM. qRT‐PCR expression analysis revealed an induced expression of the genes in the fungal primordia and carpophores. A one‐pot in vitro reaction with the N ‐methyltransferase PsiM of the psilocybin pathway demonstrates a concerted action with SahH to facilitate biosynthesis by removal of accumulating SAH.