‘Magic mushroom’ enzyme mystery solved
C&EN Global Enterprise August 21, 2017 Steve Ritter
The four enzymes that Psilocybe mushrooms use to produce psilocybin, the compound responsible for their psychedelic effects, have been identified and characterized more completely than ever before. Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena then used these enzymes to create the first enzymatic synthesis of psilocybin, a step toward large-scale production for medical applications such as treating anxiety, depression, and nicotine addiction. The discovery builds on Albert Hofmann's isolation of psilocybin nearly 60 years ago and addresses a long-standing gap in understanding the mushroom's biosynthetic pathway.