Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
January 9, 2024
Virginia Ramírez-Cruz, Giuliana Furci, Alexander J. Bradshaw et al.
30 citations
The psychedelic alkaloid psilocybin, driving Psychedelics and Drug Studies, first evolved in the mushroom genus Psilocybe around 67 million years ago. Evolutionary biology indicates its biosynthetic gene cluster transferred horizontally 4 to 5 times to other fungi between 40 and 9 million years ago. Using 71 fungal metagenomes, Phylogenetics of 2,983 gene families reveals Psilocybe's deep Biology. Two distinct psilocybin gene cluster arrangements correspond to major clades, suggesting independent acquisitions of this alkaloid's chemical synthesis, impacting Fungal Biology and Applications.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
November 29, 2022
Virginia Ramírez-Cruz, Giuliana Furci, Paul Stamets et al.
29 citations
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is being used therapeutically for depression, PTSD, and end-of-life care, highlighting the need for better understanding of the organisms that naturally produce it.
bioRxiv
December 15, 2022
Alexander J Bradshaw, Virginia Ramírez-Cruz, Ali R. Awan et al.
5 citations
preprint
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in Psilocybe mushrooms, first evolved in that genus, with 4–5 possible horizontal gene transfers to other mushroom species occurring between 40 and 22 million years ago. Sequencing 71 fungarium specimens and analyzing 2,983 single-copy gene families produced a fully supported phylogeny, showing the stem lineage arose about 66 million years ago and diversified around 53 million years ago. Two distinct gene orders within the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster correspond to a deep split within Psilocybe, possibly indicating independent acquisition of the cluster. This may predict chemical differences between the two major clades, aiding development of novel therapeutics.