Clade III Synthases Add Cyclic and Linear Terpenoids to the Psilocybe Metabolome
ChemBioChem May 3, 2025 Nick Zschoche, Markus Gressler, Stefan Bartram et al. 1 citation
Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, famous for producing the psychedelic compound psilocybin, also possess enzymes that synthesize a variety of other small, potentially bioactive molecules. Four newly identified sesquiterpene synthases, CubB through CubE, are expressed differently in the mushroom's fruiting bodies versus its vegetative mycelium. CubB produces a single compound, nerolidol, while CubC generates multiple sesquiterpenes including β-caryophyllene and α-humulene. CubD and CubE nearly exclusively produce sterpurene. The presence of nerolidol was confirmed in young fruiting bodies and vegetative mycelium. These findings expand understanding of the secondary metabolome of Psilocybe species.