A student at West Virginia University (WVU) has recently discovered a mysterious fungus that mycologists have been having for decades. The fungus produces similar effects such as the Semisynthetic Hallucinogenic connection Lyergic acid Diethylamide – aka LSD. Despite recreational use, LSD can be used in the correct dose to treat addiction, depression and post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These new types of fungi, called Periglandula clandestina, Some similar therapeutic benefits could share. It is described in one Study recently published in the magazine Mycologia.
Periglandula Candestina Was discovered by WVU Junior and Environment -Microbiology Major Corinne Hazel. She found the species growing Morning Glory Plants (Family Convolvulaceae) During work in the lab with WVU mycologist Daniel Panaccione. Hazel initially studied how morning glories spread protective chemicals that are mentioned Ergot Alkaloids Because of their roots. These chemicals are made exclusively by fungi and they are often found on grains. Morning glory Live in Symbiosis With the fungi that produce the same ergot -alkaloids. While studying the spread of the alkaloids on the morning glory in the lab, Hazel saw proof of a fungus.
[ Related: Lion’s mane mushroom shows promise in boosting brain cell growth. ]
“We had a lot of plants lying around and they had these small small seed coats,” Hazel said in a statement. “We have noticed a little fuzz in the seed jacket. That was our fungus.”
She and the Lab team have prepared a DNA monster of the suspected fungus and sent it away for GenoomSequencing to learn more. The sequence determination confirmed that this was in fact a new species and the series is now in a gene bank with the name of Hazel on it.
“Sequencing a genome is important,” Panaccione said in a statement. “It’s great for a student.”
These same ergot -alkaloids were adapted by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann When he LSD invented in the late 1930s. Hoffman assumed that one Fungus in morning glory would produce alkaloids that are comparable to those in LSDBut the exact species has remained a mystery so far.
Ullstein Bild DTL.
“Tomorrow glories contain high concentrations of comparable lyergic acid derivatives who give them their psychedelic activities,” said Panaccione. “This inspired Hofmann and others to investigate morning glory for the presence of a hidden fungus related to the Ergot fungus that is perhaps the source of these chemicals. They found very similar chemicals, but they could never find the fungus themselves.”
Ergot Alkaloids can be toxic to people and cattle And may have unwanted side effects, when used in the incorrect dose. However, some clinicians use them to treat migraine” dementiauterine rag and Parkinson’s disease. According to the team, the new discovered Periglandula Candestina is Very efficient in making ergot -alkaloids in large quantitiesWhat could make it useful in future medicines.
[ Related: A hunk of cheese is a perfect playground for fungal antibiotics. ]
“Many things are toxic. But if you administer them in the right dose or change it, they can be useful medicines,” Panaccione explains. “By studying them, we may be able to think of ways to bypass the side effects. These are major problems for medicine and agriculture.”
Matt KassonA WVU mycologist who was not involved in the study says Popular science“Many fungi live in narrow association with their hosts and cannot easily be grown in vitro. As such, the successful cultivation of these fungi is a huge step forward for understanding their biology.”
The name Periglandula Candestina Is a tribute to how well scientists have escaped almost a century.
“I think that’s the perfect name,” said Panaccione. ‘And I think it’s great that we did this project together. Corinne [Hazel] Has a lot of talent. The point is that students recognize the opportunities, grab them and have the skill and the brain force to blossom this work. “
In the future, Hazel studies the most effective ways to cultivate this slowly growing fungus. She is also interested in the question of whether other morning glory species can also have ergot -alkaloids from a fungal symbiote who are still waiting to be discovered.
“I am lucky that I came across this opportunity,” said Hazel. “People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day I look in the right place, and there it is. I am very proud of the work I did at WVU.”
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