Structural basis for psilocybin biosynthesis

Mar 23, 2025Nature communications

Molecular structure behind how psilocybin is made

AI simplified

Abstract

shows significant therapeutic potential for various psychiatric conditions.

  • The study elucidates the crystal structures of key enzymes involved in psilocybin biosynthesis.
  • Mechanisms of self-cleavage and self-inhibition in the enzyme PsiD are revealed.
  • Sequential catalytic steps from 4-hydroxytryptamine to psilocybin are characterized.
  • Biosynthetic intermediates of psilocybin demonstrate antidepressant properties in female mice with depression-like behaviors.
  • The findings provide a structural basis for enhancing psilocybin production and highlight the potential of .

AI simplified

Key numbers

significant decrease
Decrease in immobility time
Observed in forced swim test comparing treated vs. vehicle-injected SCVS mice.
significant increase
Increased social interaction time
Measured in social interaction tests among SCVS mice.

Full Text

We can’t show the full text here under this license. Use the link below to read it at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free