RiboScreenTM Technology Delivers a Ribosomal Target and a Small-Molecule Ligand for Ribosome Editing to Boost the Production Levels of Tropoelastin, the Monomeric Unit of Elastin.

Elastin, a key structural protein essential for the elasticity of the skin and elastogenic tissues, degrades with age. Replenishing elastin holds promise for anti-aging cosmetics and the supplementation of elastic activities of the cardiovascular system. We employed RiboScreenTM, a technology for identifying molecules that enhance the production of specific proteins, to target the production of tropoelastin. We make use of RiboScreenTM in two crucial steps: first, to pinpoint a target ribosomal protein (TRP), which acts as a switch to increase the production of the protein of interest (POI), and second, to identify small molecules that activate this ribosomal protein switch. Using RiboScreenTM, we identified ribosomal protein L40, henceforth eL40, as a TRP switch to boost tropoelastin production. Drug discovery identified a small-molecule hit that binds to eL40. In-cell treatment demonstrated activity of the eL40 ligand and delivered increased tropoelastin production levels in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, we demonstrate that RiboScreenTM can successfully identify a small-molecule hit capable of selectively enhancing tropoelastin production. This compound has the potential to be developed for topical or systemic applications to promote skin rejuvenation and to supplement elastic functionality within the cardiovascular system.

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision within the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in a new sense24. Odontocheila paraexcisipenis sp. nov., a new species of the O. cajennensis species-group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

A new species of the genus Odontocheila Laporte de Castelnau, 1834 is described from Venezuela as Odontocheila paraexcisipenis sp. nov. It is classified as a further species of the large O. cajennensis species-group and described subsequent to the recently published revision of the genus (Moravec (2018). Illustrations of the habitus, diagnostic characters and variability of the new species and distinguishing characters of similar species are presented in colour photographs. Revised key to species of the O. cajennensis species-group is presented with references to descriptions and illustrations of other species of the species-group in the above-cited taxonomic revision of the genus. An essential map of distribution is also given.

A new tiger beetle from the Gulf Coast of Texas (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini).

A new tiger beetle species, Eunota albicauda Duran, Roman Huber n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the Gulf Coast of southern Texas. It is superficially most similar to E. togata (LaFert-Snectre, 1841) and E. circumpicta (LaFert-Snectre, 1841) but is distinguished on the basis of multiple character states not shared with either species. We reconstructed a phylogeny for Eunota to address the placement of this new taxon. Little is known about the biology or distribution of this exceedingly rare species. Despite extensive tiger beetle collecting from this region, only two specimens of E. albicauda n. sp. are known, collected in the mid-20th century. Future efforts to locate additional specimens should focus on coastal salt flats and marshes in southern Texas, including areas near the United States-Mexico border, late in the season (September-October).

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision within the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in a new sense-19. Odontocheila microptera nom. nov., a new replacement name for O. euryoides W. Horn, 1922, and lectotype designation of O. nitidicollis (Dejean, 1825) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

A new replacement name Odontocheila microptera nom. nov. for Odontocheila euryoides W. Horn, 1922 that is a junior primary homonym of Odontocheila bennigseni euryoides W. Horn, 1906 (currently Euryarthron bennigseni euryoides), is introduced. It has been confirmed that O. microptera, due to its atrophic thoracic wings, is the only flightless species of the genus and of the whole subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn, 1899 sensu Moravec (2012). Redescription and illustrations of the habitus, diagnostic characters and biotope of this hitherto little know species, as well as of the similar O. nitidicollis (Dejean, 1825), along with the lectotype designation of the latter, are presented. Distributions and habitat of both species are treated and discussed.

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision within the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in a new sense-18. Six Mexican and Central American species related to Odontocheila mexicana Laporte de Castelnau and O. ignita Chaudoir, with a description of O. potosiana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Results of taxonomic revision of Mexican and Central American species of the genus Odontocheila Laporte de Castelnau, 1834, related to Odontocheila mexicana Laporte de Castelnau, 1834 (rectified publication date) and O. ignita Chaudoir, 1860 are presented. Redescriptions of O. mexicana, O. iodopleura Bates, 1872 and O. exilis Bates, 1884 are provided with their lectotype designations, and redescriptions of O. tawahka Johnson, 1996 and O. ignita are presented. O. exilis is restored to its original species status. Lectotype designations of O. cinctula Bates, 1881 and O. quadrina (based on Cicindela quadrina Chevrolat, 1835) are provided. The synonymy of O. cinctula with O. ignita is confirmed, as well as the synonymy of O. quadrina with O. mexicana. O. potosiana sp. nov. is described from Mexico as new for science; it represents the northernmost occurrence of the genus. A key to these related species is presented and their biology and distribution is treated. Illustrations in colour photographs of the habitus, diagnostic characters and variability are provided.