The mitogenomic landscape of Banisteriopsis caapi (Malpighiaceae), the sacred liana used for ayahuasca preparation.
Edisson Chavarro-Mesa, João Victor Dos Anjos Almeida, Saura R Silva, Simone Santos Lopes, Jose Beethoven Figueiredo Barbosa, Danilo Oliveira, Maria Alice Corrêa, Ana Paula Moraes, Vitor F O Miranda, Francisco Prosdocimi, Alessandro M Varani
Genetics and molecular biology January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0301 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe sacred ayahuasca brew, used by Amazonian indigenous communities and Brazilian religious groups, combines the liana Banisteriopsis caapi (Mariri) with the shrub Psychotria viridis (Chacrona). Chacrona leaves contain the psychedelic DMT, while B. caapi provides beta-carboline alkaloids that prevent DMT's breakdown. Researchers sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of B. caapi, revealing a circular structure of 503,502 base pairs. The mitogenome lacks some ribosomal genes, contains atypical genes, and includes plastid pseudogenes, indicating gene transfer between organelles. A 7-kilobase repetitive segment with copies of rrnL and trnfM genes suggests dynamic mitogenome maintenance. Phylogenetic analysis across 24 Malpighiales placed the sample in the "Tucunacá" ethnovariety, confirming morphological identification.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Genome sequencing and assembly Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Banisteriopsis caapi (Mariri) plant sample |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Genetics Amazonian plants Ethnobotany Indigenous medicine |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | The complete mitochondrial genome of B. caapi is a circular 503,502 bp structure with atypical gene content and evidence of organellar gene transfer and mitogenome isomerization. |
Abstract
The sacred ayahuasca brew, utilized by indigenous communities in the Amazon and syncretic religious groups in Brazil, primarily consists of a decoction of two plants: (i) the Amazonian liana known as Mariri or Jagube (Banisteriopsis caapi), and (ii) the shrub referred as Chacrona or Rainha (Psychotria viridis). While Chacrona leaves are rich in N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent psychedelic, the macerated vine of Mariri provides beta-carboline alkaloids acting as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, preventing DMT's degradation. This study sequenced, assembled, and analyzed the complete genome of B. caapi's mitochondrion, yielding a circular structure spanning 503,502 bp. Although the mtDNA encompasses most plant mitochondrial genes, it lacks some ribosomal genes, presents some atypical genes, and contains plastid pseudogenes, suggesting gene transfer between organelles. The presence of a 7-Kb repetitive segment containing copies of the rrnL and trnfM genes suggests mitogenome isomerization, supporting the hypothesis of dynamic mitogenome maintenance in plants. Phylogenetics and phylogenomics across 24 Malpighiales confirms the sample's placement in the "Tucunacá" ethnovariety, aligning with morphological identification. This study spearheads efforts to decode the genome of this esteemed Malpighiaceae.