Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.
2 papers in the library · 9 citations · publishing 2022-2025
Psilocybin content in the fungus Gymnopilus dilepis is regulated by cysteine and methionine metabolism. Treating mycelia with S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine significantly reduced psilocybin levels, while the stipe contained more psilocybin than the pileus. Transcriptome analysis linked differential gene expression to cysteine and methionine pathways, with Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) transcription positively correlating with psilocybin content. Adding a CTH inhibitor lowered psilocybin and L-serine; supplementing L-cysteine restored both, suggesting L-cysteine or CTH positively regulates psilocybin synthesis via L-serine and 4-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. This reveals a new molecular mechanism for psilocybin biosynthesis.
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a key channel for calcium uptake into mitochondria, and its dysfunction contributes to neurotoxic damage from psychoactive substances like MDMA, cocaine, and morphine. MCU dysfunction causes calcium overload, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, leading to neuronal injury. While MCU inhibitors show promise in reducing calcium overload and improving neural function, their selectivity and long-term safety need further study. Future research should focus on the precise regulatory mechanisms of MCU in drug-induced neurotoxicity and the development of targeted therapies.