Phylogenetic Relationship of Psychoactive Fungi Based on the rRNA Gene for a Large Subunit and Their Identification Using the TaqMan Assay

Occurrence and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin alkaloids

“…Using this approach, studies of ribosomal RNA genes (the large subunit) in Psilocybe and Panaeolus mushrooms have recently allowed the differentiation between psilocybin-producing and non-psilocybinproducing species, particularly of the genus Psilocybe (Moncalvo et al, 2002;Maruyama et al, 2003aMaruyama et al, , 2003bMaruyama et al, , 2006. The tested hallucinogenic mushrooms were classified into six groups (Maruyama et al, 2003b).…”

“…The tested hallucinogenic mushrooms were classified into six groups (Maruyama et al, 2003b). The identification of psilocybin-producing and non-psilocybin-producing groups within Psilocybe might indicate that sometime during evolution an event such as loss of psilocybin biosynthetic enzymes or their transcription control factors might have occurred (Maruyama et al, 2003a). As DNA samples may be obtained from nearly all types of material, including forensic material, the method is useful with samples that do not allow identification of mushrooms by morphological methods.…”

“…As DNA samples may be obtained from nearly all types of material, including forensic material, the method is useful with samples that do not allow identification of mushrooms by morphological methods. However, the fluorescence signal given in the TaqMan assay was influenced by the preservation time after harvest (Maruyama et al, 2003a). Lee et al (2000b) have reported on another DNA-based test to identify hallucinogenic fungi.…”

Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection ofOmphalotus guepiniformisandLentinula edodes

“…Real-time PCR assays have proved useful for identifying mushroom species independently of morphology. 8,12,27) A multiplex real-time PCR assay using DNA probes has been able to distinguish such different species as O. guepiniformis and L. edodes in one run, allowing for rapid detection, reduced costs and less sample waste when compared to similar assays using simplex PCR.…”

“…11) Real-time PCR using TaqMan MGB probes has been used to identify species of mushroom 12) and other ingredients in foods. [13][14][15][16] The TaqMan assay can simultaneously detect distinct fluorescent signals emitted by different reporter dyes attached at the 5 0 -ends of nucleic acid strands.…”