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.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Healthy human volunteers | 1998 | Experimental study | |
| Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Participants in controlled laboratory experiments receiving a moderate to high oral... | 2015 | Validation study using pooled data from five laboratory experiments | n = 184 |
| Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Healthy human participants | 2013 | Experimental study | |
| Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer Participants with cancer-related psychiatric distress who completed a parent randomized... | 2020 | Long-term within-subjects follow-up analysis | n = 15 |
| Enzymatic Synthesis of Psilocybin | 2017 | Laboratory study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Diversity, biology, and history of psilocybin-containing fungi: Suggestions for research and technological development. Fungal biology April 1, 2022
- Genetic Survey of Psilocybe Natural Products ChemBioChem May 18, 2022
- Taking Different Roads: l‐Tryptophan as the Origin of Psilocybe Natural Products ChemPlusChem October 1, 2020
- A journey with psychedelic mushrooms: From historical relevance to biology, cultivation, medicinal uses, biotechnology, and beyond Biotechnology Advances August 31, 2023
- The evolution and ecology of psilocybin in nature. Fungal Genetics and Biology June 1, 2023
and 13 more in the library
Cites 10
- Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Scientific Reports October 13, 2017
- Psilocybin und Psilocin, zwei psychotrope Wirkstoffe aus mexikanischen Rauschpilzen Helvetica Chimica Acta 1959
- Enzymatic Synthesis of Psilocybin Angewandte Chemie International Edition August 1, 2017
- Horizontal gene cluster transfer increased hallucinogenic mushroom diversity Evolution Letters February 27, 2018
- Identification of ω-N-Methyl-4-hydroxytryptamine (Norpsilocin) as a Psilocybe Natural Product Journal of Natural Products September 20, 2017
and 5 more in the library