Production Options for Psilocybin: Making of the Magic
This historic review (2019) examines the biosynthesis and pharmacology of psilocybin, and summarizes the biotechnological routes of its synthesis.
Abstract
The fungal genus Psilocybe and other genera comprise numerous mushroom species that biosynthesize psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine). It represents the prodrug to its dephosphorylated psychotropic analogue, psilocin. The colloquial term magic mushrooms for these fungi alludes to their hallucinogenic effects and to their use as recreational drugs. However, clinical trials have recognized psilocybin as a valuable candidate to be developed into a medication against depression and anxiety. We here highlight its recently elucidated biosynthesis, the concurrently developed concept of enzymatic in vitro and heterologous in vivo production, along with previous synthetic routes. The prospect of psilocybin as a promising therapeutic may entail an increased demand, which can be met by biotechnological production. Therefore, we also briefly touch on psilocybin's therapeutic relevance and pharmacology.
Research Summary of 'Production Options for Psilocybin: Making of the Magic'
Introduction
Fricke and colleagues frame psilocybin as a prominent fungal natural product now re-emerging as a candidate therapeutic for depression and anxiety and entering late-stage clinical development. They note that psilocybin is the phosphorylated prodrug of the psychotropic agent psilocin and that growing clinical interest creates a potential increase in demand for material produced under pharmaceutical (cGMP) conditions. The paper sets out to review and synthesize recent advances relevant to production of psilocybin: newly elucidated biosynthetic enzymes, approaches to enzymatic in vitro synthesis, heterologous in vivo production in engineered microbes, and prior chemical synthetic methods. The authors position this technical overview as foundational for meeting prospective therapeutic demand by biotechnological means and for expanding access to congeners via enzymatic or genetic engineering.
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Fricke, J., Lenz, C., Wick, J., Blei, F., & Hoffmeister, D. (2019). Production Options for Psilocybin: Making of the Magic. Chemistry – A European Journal, 25(4), 897-903. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201802758
Cited By (3)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Hudspeth, J., Rogge, K., Dörner, S. et al. · Nature Communications (2024)
McKernan, K., Kane, L. T., Crawford, S. et al. · F1000Research (2021)
Adams, A. M., Kaplan, N. A., Wei, Z. et al. · Metabolic Engineering (2019)
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