Research Topic: Receptor pharmacology

Molecular networking identifies an AHR-modulating benzothiazole from white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

Researchers discovered a new compound in white button mushrooms called 2-amino-4-methylbenzothiazole that activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which helps regulate gut health and immunity. Using a computational approach called molecular networking to compare mushroom compounds with known beneficial substances, scientists identified this previously unknown compound and confirmed its activity in laboratory cells. This discovery demonstrates how certain mushrooms may contribute to health through specific bioactive compounds and provides a faster method for finding similar compounds in other foods.

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Serotonin and psilocybin activate 5-HT1B receptors to suppress cortical signaling through the claustrum

Researchers found that serotonin and psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) work through the same brain mechanism to suppress certain neural signals in a brain region called the claustrum. This region controls how different parts of the cortex communicate with each other. The study shows that psilocybin directly targets serotonin 5-HT1B receptors to quiet down signals from one brain area to another, which may explain how psychedelics change cortical network activity and alter consciousness.

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