Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster

Jan 9, 2024Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Evolutionary history of the psychedelic mushroom group Psilocybe and the genes that produce psilocybin

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Abstract

A comprehensive phylogeny of the genus Psilocybe was generated using 71 metagenomes and 2,983 single-copy gene families.

  • Molecular clock analysis indicates the stem lineage of Psilocybe emerged approximately 67 million years ago, with diversification occurring around 56 million years ago.
  • biosynthesis is suggested to have first developed in Psilocybe, with 4 to 5 possible instances of gene transfer to other mushroom species between 40 and 9 million years ago.
  • Distinct gene orders within the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster correspond to a significant evolutionary split within the genus, indicating potential independent acquisitions of the biosynthetic cluster.

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Key numbers

87%
Gene Recovery Rate
Single-copy genes recovered across all samples.
67 mya
Divergence Time Estimate
Estimated stem age of the lineage.
40 species
Species Representation
Total species represented in the phylogenomic analysis.

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