Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B

Genome sequencing of magic mushroom offspring reveals four-part mating system and duplicated genes in psilocybin production

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated

Abstract

Mating in Psilocybe subaeruginosa is tetrapolar, with compatibility controlled by specific genetic loci.

  • Compatibility is determined by a homeodomain locus featuring one copy each of HD1 and HD2.
  • Mating is also influenced by a pheromone/receptor locus that has four homologs of the receptor gene STE3.
  • Two additional pheromone/receptor loci homologous to STE3 do not regulate mating compatibility.
  • Alleles in the psilocybin gene cluster were consistent among five siblings and likely homozygous in the parent.
  • Psilocybe subaeruginosa possesses three copies of PsiH genes, but their role in psilocybin production remains unclear.
  • Genetic improvement may necessitate access to diverse genetic resources, identification of trait-related genes, and strategies to prevent inbreeding.

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Funding

Competing interests

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
PubMed

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