BioQuest | Vol. 2, No. 1 (July 2018)

“Magic Mushrooms” (MM) also called

“shrooms” are an interesting and new type of

adaptations that are inherited for advanced survival

skills among different species of fungus. Insects fed on

MM gets “trippy, thereby repelling insects by

manipulating their neurochemistry. Genomic analysis

of three hallucinogenic MM’s identified cluster of

genes coding for hallucinogenic compounds and

evidence for their horizontal transfer among fungal

lineages (Reynolds et al., 2018). The compounds

characterized as psilocybin and psilocin (serotonin

receptor agonists), are basically tryptophan

secondary metabolite which render psychoactive state,

euphoria and other trippy expressions in humans.

These "magic mushrooms" were earlier used in

Central American religious ceremonies, and later

entered major black markets across many countries. It is

also banned in some countries like the United States of

America.

Even a least quantity is enough for the altered

feeling but quantitative analysis suggests that one gram

of dried magic mushrooms ingested orally is

to produce a mild effect, while 1-2.5

moderate to 2.5 grams and above usually produces

strong effects on the consumer. The mushrooms seem

to provide a soothing, relaxing feeling, but in reality it

actually boosts the brain's neuronal connectivity. This

was demonstrated in a study including 15 volunteers

who undergo brain scanning by a functional magnetic

resonance imaging (fMRI) machine (Carhart

al., 2012). The connectivity brain maps of the

volunteers before and after ingestion were scanned to

reveal that the brain synchronises activity among areas

that would not connect normally. Scientists also provide

evidence that this can also slow down brain activity.

Another remarkable side effect of consuming

magic mushrooms is that they erase frightening

memories and encourage new brain cell growth in mice.

Magic mushrooms Psilocybe

Das R, Debnath R*

Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Jorhat

* Corresponding author e-mail: rajal.debnath@gmail.com

“Magic Mushrooms” (MM) also called

“shrooms” are an interesting and new type of

adaptations that are inherited for advanced survival

skills among different species of fungus. Insects fed on

MM gets “trippy, thereby repelling insects by

Genomic analysis

three hallucinogenic MM’s identified cluster of

genes coding for hallucinogenic compounds and

evidence for their horizontal transfer among fungal

lineages (Reynolds et al., 2018). The compounds

characterized as psilocybin and psilocin (serotonin

gonists), are basically tryptophan-derived

secondary metabolite which render psychoactive state,

euphoria and other trippy expressions in humans.

These "magic mushrooms" were earlier used in

Central American religious ceremonies, and later

lack markets across many countries. It is

also banned in some countries like the United States of

Even a least quantity is enough for the altered

feeling but quantitative analysis suggests that one gram

mushrooms ingested orally is sufficient

2.5 grams for

grams and above usually produces

strong effects on the consumer. The mushrooms seem

to provide a soothing, relaxing feeling, but in reality it

connectivity. This

was demonstrated in a study including 15 volunteers

who undergo brain scanning by a functional magnetic

resonance imaging (fMRI) machine (Carhart-Harris et

al., 2012). The connectivity brain maps of the

ion were scanned to

reveal that the brain synchronises activity among areas

that would not connect normally. Scientists also provide

evidence that this can also slow down brain activity.

Another remarkable side effect of consuming

they erase frightening

memories and encourage new brain cell growth in mice.

In one of the study Catlow and co

studied conditioning of fear in mice with and without

psilocybin dosage. They found that the mice when

dosed with the hallucinogen

shock were relieved of the fearful response to noise

typically associated with the electric shock. That a

hallucinated mouse frightens less as compared

previously on first encounter of the electric shock

provides support that the normal mice could learn to

associate the noise with the painful electric shock.

Mice that were not given the drug also

gradually got used to the noise too, but it took longer

duration of time. Such studies provide hope and inspire

more work on how magic mushrooms might be used to

treat mental health problems. According to a 2005

review, there are 144 species of the genus Psilocybe

(Basidiomycotina, Agaricales, Strophariaceae) that are

reported to contain the psychoactive ingredient

psilocybin and distributed globally. The diversity of

MM’s provide an important bioresource to conduct

molecular pharmacological studies in treating post

traumatic stress disorder.

References

Catlow B, Song S, Paredes D, Kirstein C

Ramos J (2013) Effect of psilocybin

Psilocybe cubensis

Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Jorhat-785700, Assam, India

rajal.debnath@gmail.com

34

In one of the study Catlow and co-workers (2013)

studied conditioning of fear in mice with and without

psilocybin dosage. They found that the mice when

psilocybin post electric

shock were relieved of the fearful response to noise

typically associated with the electric shock. That a

hallucinated mouse frightens less as compared

previously on first encounter of the electric shock

normal mice could learn to

associate the noise with the painful electric shock.

Mice that were not given the drug also

gradually got used to the noise too, but it took longer

duration of time. Such studies provide hope and inspire

ushrooms might be used to

treat mental health problems. According to a 2005

review, there are 144 species of the genus Psilocybe

(Basidiomycotina, Agaricales, Strophariaceae) that are

reported to contain the psychoactive ingredient

ed globally. The diversity of

MM’s provide an important bioresource to conduct

molecular pharmacological studies in treating post-

Catlow B, Song S, Paredes D, Kirstein C, Sanchez-

Ramos J (2013) Effect of psilocybin on

785700, Assam, India

BioQuest | Vol. 2, No. 1 (July 2018)

35

hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace

fear conditioning. Experimental Brain Research,

228: 481-491.

Guzman G (2005) Species diversity of the genus

Psilocybe (Basidiomycotina, Agaricales,

Strophariaceae) in the World Mycobiota, with

special attention to hallucinogenic properties.

International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 7:

305-331.

Reynolds HT, Vijayakumar V, Gluck-Thaler E,

Korotkin HB, Matheny PB, Slot JC (2018)

Horizontal gene cluster transfer increased

hallucinogenic mushroom diversity. Evolution

Letters, 2: 88-101.

Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D, Williams T, Stone JM,

Reed LJ, Colasanti A, Tyacke RJ et al. (2012)

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as

determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin.

PNAS, 109: 2138-2143.

Understanding lamin proteins and

their roles in aging and

cardiovascular disease

Borah R

Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute,

Central Silk Board, Lahdoigarh-785008, Jorhat

Email: riturajdeathlyhollows@gmail.com

With increasing age, the risk of cardiovascular

disease increases and also in the vascular cells the

percentage of senescent cells increases at the

atherosclerotic sites. The patients who have accelerated

aging syndrome caused by mutant lamin A protein

which is a structural component in nuclear lamina also

shares many such similarities with normal aged people

including the propensity to develop atherosclerosis.

It has also been seen that there is an

accumulation of pre-lamin A in normal aged vascular

cells and that lamin A is involved as a

mechanosensitive molecule in regulating various

cellular events. The particular reports suggested that the

ectopic expression of mutantlamin A or prelamin not

only causes defects in cell mechanisms but it also

disturbs stress induced mechanotransduction pathway

involving lamin A both of which may contribute to

vascular deregulation. This article helps us to

understand the current understanding of how the lamin

proteins are involved in vascular cell during aging. This

process also helps us particularly to focus on the effect

of mechanical stress from blood flow on nuclear lamina

of the endothelial cells. This also clarifies the role of

lamin A in the progression of atherosclerosis which will

aid in the development of potential therapies for those

suffering from Lamin A associated accelerated aging

syndromes.

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The Costliest Mushroom

The most expensive fungus in the world

isn’t any truffle or Mattake mushroom, it is a dead

caterpillar fungus that grows in the Himalayas.

The cost of the mushroom is about Rs. 10.00

lakhs per kg. This expensive fungus

(Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is called yartsa gunbu.

The fungus is a parasite; it infects ghost moth

caterpillars (Hepialus humuli). The caterpillars

live underground in alpine grass and shrub-lands

on the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas at an

altitude between 3,000 and 5,000 m (9,800 and

16,400 ft). They feed on roots underground and

are more vulnerable to the fungus when they shed

their skin in the late summer. This is also the time

when the fungus releases its spores.