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Tang C, Li X, Wang T, Wang J, Xiao M, He M, Chang X, Fan Y, Li Y. Characterization of Metabolite Landscape Distinguishes Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps sinensis and other Cordyceps by UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X Untargeted Metabolomics. Molecules 2023; 28:7745. [PMID: 38067475 PMCID: PMC10708286 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cordyceps represent a valuable class of medicinal fungi with potential utilization. The overexploitation and resource scarcity of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) have led to the emergence of Cordyceps such as Cordyceps militaris (CM) and Cordyceps cicadae (CC) as substitutes. The medicinal value of CS is often considered superior to other Cordyceps, potentially owing to differences in active ingredients. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the composition and abundance of the primary and secondary metabolites of CS and its substitutes by untargeted metabolomics. A total of 4671 metabolites from 18 superclasses were detected. CS and its substitutes were rich in amino acids, lipids, organic acids, and their derivatives. We statistically analyzed the metabolites and found a total of 285 differential metabolites (3'-Adenylic acid, O-Adipoylcarnitine, L-Dopachrome, etc.) between CS and CC, CS and CM, and CM and CC, which are potential biomarkers. L-glutamate and glycerophospholipids were differential metabolites. A KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the tyrosine metabolic pathway and tryptophan metabolism pathway are the most differentially expressed pathways among the three Cordyceps. In contrast, CS was enriched in a higher abundance of most lipid metabolites when compared to CM and CC, which may be an indispensable foundation for the pharmacological functions of CS. In conclusion, systematic, untargeted metabolomics analyses for CS and other Cordyceps have delivered a precious resource for insights into metabolite landscapes and predicted potential components of disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Xiuzhang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China;
| | - Mengjun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Min He
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Xiyun Chang
- Qinghai Institute of Health Sciences, Xining 810000, China;
| | - Yuejun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
| | - Yuling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (C.T.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (M.X.); (M.H.)
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Hammerle F, Quirós-Guerrero L, Wolfender JL, Peintner U, Siewert B. Highlighting the Phototherapeutical Potential of Fungal Pigments in Various Fruiting Body Extracts with Informed Feature-Based Molecular Networking. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:1972-1992. [PMID: 36947169 PMCID: PMC10497435 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02200-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pigments are characterized by a diverse set of chemical backbones, some of which present photosensitizer-like structures. From the genus Cortinarius, for example, several biologically active photosensitizers have been identified leading to the hypothesis that photoactivity might be a more general phenomenon in the kingdom Fungi. This paper aims at testing the hypothesis. Forty-eight fruiting body-forming species producing pigments from all four major biosynthetic pathways (i.e., shikimate-chorismate, acetate-malonate, mevalonate, and nitrogen heterocycles) were selected and submitted to a workflow combining in vitro chemical and biological experiments with state-of-the-art metabolomics. Fungal extracts were profiled by high-resolution mass spectrometry and subsequently explored by spectral organization through feature-based molecular networking (FBMN), including advanced metabolite dereplication techniques. Additionally, the photochemical properties (i.e., light-dependent production of singlet oxygen), the phenolic content, and the (photo)cytotoxic activity of the extracts were studied. Different levels of photoactivity were found in species from all four metabolic groups, indicating that light-dependent effects are common among fungal pigments. In particular, extracts containing pigments from the acetate-malonate pathway, e.g., extracts from Bulgaria inquinans, Daldinia concentrica, and Cortinarius spp., were not only efficient producers of singlet oxygen but also exhibited photocytotoxicity against three different cancer cell lines. This study explores the distribution of photobiological traits in fruiting body forming fungi and highlights new sources for phototherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hammerle
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Luis Quirós-Guerrero
- Phytochemistry and Bioactive Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- Phytochemistry and Bioactive Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ursula Peintner
- Department of Microbiology, University Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25d, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bianka Siewert
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Duan M, Long S, Wu X, Feng B, Qin S, Li Y, Li X, Li C, Zhao C, Wang L, Yan Y, Wu J, Zhao F, Chen Z, Wang Z. Genome, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses provide new insights into the resource development in an edible fungus Dictyophora indusiata. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1137159. [PMID: 36846778 PMCID: PMC9948255 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1137159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dictyophora indusiata (Vent. Ex Pers.) Fisch. (DI) is an edible and medicinal fungus widely used in East Asian countries. However, during DI cultivation, the formation of fruiting bodies cannot be regulated, which leads to yield and quality losses. The present study performed a combined genome, transcriptome, and metabolome analysis of DI. Using Nanopore and Illumina sequencing approaches, we created the DI reference genome, which was 67.32 Mb long with 323 contigs. We identified 19,909 coding genes on this genome, of which 46 gene clusters were related to terpenoid synthesis. Subsequent transcriptome sequencing using five DI tissues (cap, indusia, mycelia, stipe, and volva) showed high expression levels of genes in the cap, indicating the tissue's importance in regulating the fruiting body formation. Meanwhile, the metabolome analysis identified 728 metabolites from the five tissues. Mycelium was rich in choline, while volva was rich in dendronobilin; stipe had monosaccharides as the primary component, and the cap was the main source of indole acetic acid (IAA) synthesis. We confirmed the importance of tryptophan metabolism for DI fruiting body differentiation based on KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, the combined multiomics analysis identified three new genes related to IAA synthesis of the tryptophan metabolic pathway in the cap, which may regulate DI fruiting body synthesis and improve DI quality. Thus, the study's findings expand our understanding of resource development and the molecular mechanisms underlying DI development and differentiation. However, the current genome is still a rough draft that needs to be strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzheng Duan
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China,Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Shengfeng Long
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaojian Wu
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Bin Feng
- Laibin Branch of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Laihua Center, Laibin, China
| | - Sunqian Qin
- Laibin Branch of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Laihua Center, Laibin, China
| | - Yijie Li
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Changning Li
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Chenggang Zhao
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Lingqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yong Yan
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Falin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhendong Chen
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China,*Correspondence: Zhendong Chen, ✉
| | - Zeping Wang
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science/Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, China,Zeping Wang, ✉
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Plazas E, Faraone N. Indole Alkaloids from Psychoactive Mushrooms: Chemical and Pharmacological Potential as Psychotherapeutic Agents. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020461. [PMID: 36830997 PMCID: PMC9953455 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress represent a substantial long-term challenge for the global health systems because of their rising prevalence, uncertain neuropathology, and lack of effective pharmacological treatments. The approved existing studies constitute a piece of strong evidence whereby psychiatric drugs have shown to have unpleasant side effects and reduction of sustained tolerability, impacting patients' quality of life. Thus, the implementation of innovative strategies and alternative sources of bioactive molecules for the search for neuropsychiatric agents are required to guarantee the success of more effective drug candidates. Psychotherapeutic use of indole alkaloids derived from magic mushrooms has shown great interest and potential as an alternative to the synthetic drugs currently used on the market. The focus on indole alkaloids is linked to their rich history, their use as pharmaceuticals, and their broad range of biological properties, collectively underscoring the indole heterocycle as significant in drug discovery. In this review, we aim to report the physicochemical and pharmacological characteristics of indole alkaloids, particularly those derived from magic mushrooms, highlighting the promising application of such active ingredients as safe and effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Kim S. Biochemical characterization and cytotoxicity of polylactosamine-extended N-glycans binding isolectins from the mushroom Hericium erinaceus. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:1010-1020. [PMID: 36526067 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mushroom Hericium erinaceus expresses isolectins with different glycan binding specificities; of these, the ricin B-like lectin HEL1 and HEL2 (HEL2a and HEL2b) can bind fucosylated N-glycans and core 1 O-glycans, respectively. However, other lectin-like protein-coding transcripts detected in the H. erinaceus transcriptome, named HEL3, remain to be characterized. Therefore, in this study, the expression levels of all these isolectins genes were compared to characterize the molecular and biochemical properties of these carbohydrate-binding proteins. Low expression genes encoding putative cytolysin proteins, HEL3a and HEL3b, were identified. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that these proteins shared highly homologous structures and carbohydrate-binding residues with other mushroom lectins. Further, their recombinant proteins, rHEL3a and rHEL3b showed an octamer composed of identical 17 kDa subunits under non-denaturing conditions and a slightly basic isoelectric point value of approximately 8.3. The hemagglutination activity of these isolectins was strongly inhibited by glycoproteins rather than free glycans. Interestingly, glycan-binding profiles showed that rHEL3 isolectins interacted with most polylactosamine (poly-LacNAc)-extended N-glycans with relatively low binding activity. Isothermal titration calorimetry also revealed that these recombinant lectins have different binding capacities toward N-glycan-containing glycoproteins. Further, treatment with different concentrations of rHEL3 lectins showed cytotoxic effects in K562, UACC62, and CHO model cell lines, which express poly-LacNAc glycans, confirmed by inhibition of proliferation. Overall, these biochemical properties indicate that rHEL3 isolectins may be used as unique lectins for detecting poly-LacNAc-extended glycans, which are known to be over-expressed in leukemia or metastatic melanoma cells, in cancer diagnostic assays and anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonghun Kim
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 181 Ipsin-gil, Jeongeup 56212, Republic of Korea; Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217 Gajeong-ro, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Woodcraft C, Chooi YH, Roux I. The expanding CRISPR toolbox for natural product discovery and engineering in filamentous fungi. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:158-173. [PMID: 36205232 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00055e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to May 2022Fungal genetics has transformed natural product research by enabling the elucidation of cryptic metabolites and biosynthetic steps. The enhanced capability to add, subtract, modulate, and rewrite genes via CRISPR/Cas technologies has opened up avenues for the manipulation of biosynthetic gene clusters across diverse filamentous fungi. This review discusses the innovative and diverse strategies for fungal natural product discovery and engineering made possible by CRISPR/Cas-based tools. We also provide a guide into multiple angles of CRISPR/Cas experiment design, and discuss current gaps in genetic tool development for filamentous fungi and the promising opportunities for natural product research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Woodcraft
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Yit-Heng Chooi
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Indra Roux
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
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Zhong YJ, Cao F, Hu LS, Xu CX, Zhu YA, Chen X, Mao XM. Complex Interplay and Catalytic Versatility of Tailoring Enzymes for Efficient and Selective Biosynthesis of Fungal Mycotoxins. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:311-319. [PMID: 36571252 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c07681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins have substantial impacts on agricultural production and food preservation. Some have high similarities in bioactivity but subtle differences on structures from various fungal producers. Understanding of their complex cross-biosynthesis will provide new insights into enzyme functions and food safety. Here, based on structurally related mycotoxins, such as aurovertins, asteltoxin, and citreoviridin, we showed that methyltransferase (MT)-catalyzed methylation is required for efficient oxidation and polyketide stability. MTs have broad interactions with polyketide synthases and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), while MT AstB is required for FMO AstC functionality in vivo. FMOs have common catalysis on pyrone-polyene intermediates but different catalytic specificity and efficiency on oxidative intermediates for the selective production of more toxic and complex mycotoxins. Thus, the subtle protein interaction and elaborate versatile catalysis of biosynthetic enzymes contribute to the efficient and selective biosynthesis of these structure-related mycotoxins and provide the basis to re-evaluate and control mycotoxins for agricultural and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jun Zhong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Jiaojiang 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fei Cao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Long-Shuang Hu
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chu-Xuan Xu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yan-An Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Jiaojiang 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Taizhou Hospital, 150# Ximen Street, Linhai 317099, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xuepeng Chen
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xu-Ming Mao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
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DNA Authentication and Chemical Analysis of Psilocybe Mushrooms Reveal Widespread Misdeterminations in Fungaria and Inconsistencies in Metabolites. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0149822. [PMID: 36445079 PMCID: PMC9764976 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01498-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The mushroom genus Psilocybe is best known as the core group of psychoactive mushrooms, yet basic information on their diversity, taxonomy, chemistry, and general biology is still largely lacking. In this study, we reexamined 94 Psilocybe fungarium specimens, representing 18 species, by DNA barcoding, evaluated the stability of psilocybin, psilocin, and their related tryptamine alkaloids in 25 specimens across the most commonly vouchered species (Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe semilanceata), and explored the metabolome of cultivated P. cubensis. Our data show that, apart from a few well-known species, the taxonomic accuracy of specimen determinations is largely unreliable, even at the genus level. A substantial quantity of poor-quality and mislabeled sequence data in public repositories, as well as a paucity of sequences derived from types, further exacerbates the problem. Our data also support taxon- and time-dependent decay of psilocybin and psilocin, with some specimens having no detectable quantities of them. We also show that the P. cubensis metabolome possibly contains thousands of uncharacterized compounds, at least some of which may be bioactive. Taken together, our study undermines commonly held assumptions about the accuracy of names and presence of controlled substances in fungarium specimens identified as Psilocybe spp. and reveals that our understanding of the chemical diversity of these mushrooms is largely incomplete. These results have broader implications for regulatory policies pertaining to the storage and sharing of fungarium specimens as well as the use of psychoactive mushrooms for recreation and therapy. IMPORTANCE The therapeutic use of psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms," is revolutionizing mental health care for a number of conditions, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and end-of-life care. This has spotlighted the current state of knowledge of psilocybin, including the organisms that endogenously produce it. However, because of international regulation of psilocybin as a controlled substance (often included on the same list as cocaine and heroin), basic research has lagged far behind. Our study highlights how the poor state of knowledge of even the most fundamental scientific information can impact the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for recreational or therapeutic applications and undermines critical assumptions that underpin their regulation by legal authorities. Our study shows that currently available chemical studies are mainly inaccurate, irreproducible, and inconsistent, that there exists a high rate of misidentification in museum collections and public databases rendering even names unreliable, and that the concentration of psilocybin and its tryptamine derivatives in three of the most commonly collected Psilocybe species (P. cubensis, P. cyanescens, and P. semilanceata) is highly variable and unstable in museum specimens spanning multiple decades, and our study generates the first-ever insight into the highly complex and largely uncharacterized metabolomic profile for the most commonly cultivated magic mushroom, P. cubensis.
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Liao B, Chen X, Zhou X, Zhou Y, Shi Y, Ye X, Liao M, Zhou Z, Cheng L, Ren B. Applications of CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technology in yeast and fungi. Arch Microbiol 2021; 204:79. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02723-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Kelly S. Early-career researchers: answering the most important scientific questions of our time. Biol Open 2021; 10:273426. [PMID: 34766619 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
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11
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Filho JAF, Rosolen RR, Almeida DA, de Azevedo PHC, Motta MLL, Aono AH, dos Santos CA, Horta MAC, de Souza AP. Trends in biological data integration for the selection of enzymes and transcription factors related to cellulose and hemicellulose degradation in fungi. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:475. [PMID: 34777932 PMCID: PMC8548487 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-03032-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are key players in biotechnological applications. Although several studies focusing on fungal diversity and genetics have been performed, many details of fungal biology remain unknown, including how cellulolytic enzymes are modulated within these organisms to allow changes in main plant cell wall compounds, cellulose and hemicellulose, and subsequent biomass conversion. With the advent and consolidation of DNA/RNA sequencing technology, different types of information can be generated at the genomic, structural and functional levels, including the gene expression profiles and regulatory mechanisms of these organisms, during degradation-induced conditions. This increase in data generation made rapid computational development necessary to deal with the large amounts of data generated. In this context, the origination of bioinformatics, a hybrid science integrating biological data with various techniques for information storage, distribution and analysis, was a fundamental step toward the current state-of-the-art in the postgenomic era. The possibility of integrating biological big data has facilitated exciting discoveries, including identifying novel mechanisms and more efficient enzymes, increasing yields, reducing costs and expanding opportunities in the bioprocess field. In this review, we summarize the current status and trends of the integration of different types of biological data through bioinformatics approaches for biological data analysis and enzyme selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaire A. Ferreira Filho
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Rafaela R. Rosolen
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Deborah A. Almeida
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique C. de Azevedo
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Maria Lorenza L. Motta
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Alexandre H. Aono
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Clelton A. dos Santos
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Maria Augusta C. Horta
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Anete P. de Souza
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Brazil
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, UNICAMP, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP 13083-875 Brazil
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Al-Salihi SAA, Alberti F. Naturally Occurring Terpenes: A Promising Class of Organic Molecules to Address Influenza Pandemics. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2021; 11:405-419. [PMID: 33939136 PMCID: PMC8090910 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-021-00306-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Since the olden times, infectious diseases have largely affected human existence. The newly emerged infections are excessively caused by viruses that are largely associated with mammal reservoirs. The casualties of these emergencies are significantly influenced by the way human beings interact with the reservoirs, especially the animal ones. In our review we will consider the evolutionary and the ecological scales of such infections and their consequences on the public health, with a focus on the pathogenic influenza A virus. The nutraceutical properties of fungal and plant terpene-like molecules will be linked to their ability to lessen the symptoms of viral infections and shed light on their potential use in the development of new drugs. New challenging methods in antiviral discovery will also be discussed in this review. The authors believe that pharmacognosy is the "wave of future pharmaceuticals", as it can be continually produced and scaled up under eco-friendly requirements. Further diagnostic methods and strategies however are required to standardise those naturally occurring resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabrizio Alberti
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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Süntar I, Çetinkaya S, Haydaroğlu ÜS, Habtemariam S. Bioproduction process of natural products and biopharmaceuticals: Biotechnological aspects. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 50:107768. [PMID: 33974980 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Decades of research have been put in place for developing sustainable routes of bioproduction of high commercial value natural products (NPs) on the global market. In the last few years alone, we have witnessed significant advances in the biotechnological production of NPs. The development of new methodologies has resulted in a better understanding of the metabolic flux within the organisms, which have driven manipulations to improve production of the target product. This was further realised due to the recent advances in the omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and secretomics, as well as systems and synthetic biology. Additionally, the combined application of novel engineering strategies has made possible avenues for enhancing the yield of these products in an efficient and economical way. Invention of high-throughput technologies such as next generation sequencing (NGS) and toolkits for genome editing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) have been the game changers and provided unprecedented opportunities to generate rationally designed synthetic circuits which can produce complex molecules. This review covers recent advances in the engineering of various hosts for the production of bioactive NPs and biopharmaceuticals. It also highlights general approaches and strategies to improve their biosynthesis with higher yields in a perspective of plants and microbes (bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi). Although there are numerous reviews covering this topic on a selected species at a time, our approach herein is to give a comprehensive understanding about state-of-art technologies in different platforms of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipek Süntar
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330 Etiler, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Sümeyra Çetinkaya
- Biotechnology Research Center of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 06330 Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ülkü Selcen Haydaroğlu
- Biotechnology Research Center of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 06330 Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
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Future Leader to Watch – Fabrizio Alberti. Biol Open 2020. [PMCID: PMC7725607 DOI: 10.1242/bio.057679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Future Leader to Watch is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of Reviews published in Biology Open, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Fabrizio Alberti is first author on ‘Recent developments of tools for genome and metabolome studies in basidiomycete fungi and their application to natural product research’, published in BiO. Fabrizio is a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow (Senior Research Fellow) at the School of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, UK, investigating the discovery and biosynthetic characterisation of natural products made by fungi and bacteria.
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