Two new species of the genus Eophileurus Arrow, 1908 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) from the Philippines and Vietnam, with first description of E. quadratifovealis Yang & Pathomwattananurak, 2022 female.

Two new species, Eophileurus varipunctatus Yang, Pathomwattananurak & Zhao, new species from Mindoro and Palawan, the Philippines and Eophileurus vietnamensis Yang, Pathomwattananurak & Zhao, new species from Vietnam are described and illustrated. Eophileurus iwasei Muramoto, 1995 and E. chinensis (Faldermann, 1935) are illustrated and compared to each new species, respectively. The female of E. quadratifovealis Yang & Pathomwattananurak, 2022 is described for the first time.

New and poorly known species of the genus Brachyllus Brenske, 1896 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from China.

Three new species of the genus Brachyllus Brenske, 1896 are described from China including Brachyllus songhaitiani Zhao, Qi, Su & Liao, new species from Fujian and Jiangxi, B. dongzhiweii Zhao, new species from Xizang and B. tangzhaoyangi Zhao, new species from Guangxi. Brachyllus langeri Keith, 2008 is downgraded to a subspecies of B. rougeriei Keith, 2003 and reported from China for the first time. Newly collected material of B. deuveianus Keith, 2003 allows better definition of its variability. A distribution map for this genus is also presented.

SCF/c-Kit-activated signaling and angiogenesis require Gαi1 and Gαi3.

The stem cell factor (SCF) binds to c-Kit in endothelial cells, thus activating downstream signaling and angiogenesis. Herein, we examined the role of G protein subunit alpha inhibitory (Gαi) proteins in this process. In MEFs and HUVECs, Gαi1/3 was associated with SCF-activated c-Kit, promoting c-Kit endocytosis, and binding of key adaptor proteins, subsequently transducing downstream signaling. SCF-induced Akt-mTOR and Erk activation was robustly attenuated by Gαi1/3 silencing or knockout (KO), or due to dominant negative mutations but was strengthened substantially following ectopic overexpression of Gαi1/3. SCF-induced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation were suppressed after Gαi1/3 silencing or KO, or due to dominant negative mutations. In vivo, endothelial knockdown of Gαi1/3 by intravitreous injection of endothelial-specific shRNA adeno-associated virus (AAV) potently reduced SCF-induced signaling and retinal angiogenesis in mice. Moreover, mRNA and protein expressions of SCF increased significantly in the retinal tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) mice. SCF silencing, through intravitreous injection of SCF shRNA AAV, inhibited pathological retinal angiogenesis and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in DR mice. Finally, the expression of SCF and c-Kit increased in proliferative retinal tissues of human patients with proliferative DR. Taken together, Gαi1/3 mediate SCF/c-Kit-activated signaling and angiogenesis.

Identification of matrix-remodeling associated 5 as a possible molecular oncotarget of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis. Here we examined expression, potential functions and underlying mechanisms of MXRA5 (matrix remodeling associated 5) in pancreatic cancer. Bioinformatics studies revealed that MXRA5 transcripts are significantly elevated in pancreatic cancer tissues, correlating with the poor overall survival, high T-stage, N1 and pathologic stage of the patients. MXRA5 mRNA and protein expression is significantly elevated in microarray pancreatic cancer tissues and different pancreatic cancer cells. In primary and immortalized (BxPC-3 and PANC-1 lines) pancreatic cancer cells, shRNA-induced MXRA5 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MXRA5 knockout suppressed cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while provoking cell apoptosis. Conversely, forced overexpression of MXRA5 further promoted pancreatic cancer cell progression and EMT. Bioinformatics studies and the protein chip analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in MXRA5-overexpressed primary pancreatic cancer cells were enriched in the PI3K-Akt-mTOR cascade. Indeed, Akt-mTOR activation in primary human pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by MXRA5 shRNA or knockout, but was augmented following MXRA5 overexpression. In vivo, the growth of MXRA5 KO PANC-1 xenografts was largely inhibited in nude mice. Moreover, intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus-packed MXRA5 shRNA potently inhibited primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Akt-mTOR activation was also largely inhibited in the MXRA5-depleted pancreatic cancer xenografts. Contrarily MXRA5 overexpression promoted primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Together, overexpressed MXRA5 is important for pancreatic cancer cell growth possibly through promoting EMT and Akt-mTOR activation. MXRA5 could be a potential therapeutic oncotarget for pancreatic cancer.

New species of the tribe Sericini Kirby, 1837 from China, with further updates on their taxonomy and distribution (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae).

Fifteen new species of Sericini are described from China, including Gastroserica (s. str.) mayunshui Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Pachyserica albopunctata Zhao & Ahrens, new species, P. dongnanensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, P. jianfengensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Serica (s. l.) caiyiyiae Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) babaoshanensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) jicaiyanae Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) zhangyaonani Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) longidentata Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) callosericoides Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (Taiwanoserica) liboyani Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (T.) yangzaichuni Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Maladera zhanchaoi Zhao & Ahrens, new species M. parabikouensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species and M. shikengkongensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species. Maladera juxianensis Ahrens, Fabrizi & Liu, 2021 was recognized as a junior synonym of M. aureola (Murayama, 1938). Additional collecting data for 32 other sericine species is presented.

Baicalein Relieves Ferroptosis-Mediated Phagocytosis Inhibition of Macrophages in Ovarian Endometriosis.

Iron overload and oxidative stress have been reported to contribute to ferroptosis in endometriotic lesions. However, the possible roles of iron overload on macrophages in endometriosis (EMs) remain unknown. Based on recent reports by single-cell sequencing data of endometriosis, here we found significant upregulations of ferroptosis-associated genes in the macrophage of the endometriotic lesion. Additionally, there was an elevated expression of HMOX1, FTH1, and FTL in macrophages of peritoneal fluid in EMs, as well as iron accumulation in the endometriotic lesions. Notably, cyst fluid significantly up-regulated levels of intracellular iron and ferroptosis in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated THP-1 cells. Additionally, high iron-induced ferroptosis obviously reduced PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells' phagocytosis and increased the expression of angiogenic cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and interleukin 8 (IL8). Baicalein, a potential anti-ferroptosis compound, increased GPX4 expression, significantly inhibited ferroptosis, and restored phagocytosis of THP-1 cells in vitro. Collectively, our study reveals that ferroptosis triggered by high iron in cyst fluid promotes the development of EMs by impairing macrophage phagocytosis and producing more angiogenic cytokines (e.g., IL8 and VEGFA). Baicalein displays the potential for the treatment of EMs, especially in patients with high ferroptosis and low phagocytosis of macrophages.

Contribution to the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) of China and adjacent regions. Part II: six new species from Taiwan and Hainan.

Six new insular species of the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 are described: A. hualienensis Zhao, new species, A. linwenhsini Zhao Zorn, new species, A. wutaiensis Zhao Zorn, new species, A. kanshireiensis Zorn Zhao, new species and A. inclinata Zhao Zorn, new species from Taiwan Island as well as A. longilobata Zhao Zorn, new species from Hainan Island.

A contribution to the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae).

The diagnostic characters of the genera Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 and Fruhstorferia Kolbe, 1894 are clarified. The following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: Didrepanephorusbirmanicus (Arrow, 1907), comb. nov., Didrepanephorusfukinukii (Muramoto & Araya, 2000), comb. nov., Fruhstorferiabaron (Prokofiev, 2013), comb. nov., and Fruhstorferiaanthracina Ohaus, 1903, comb. rev. Didrepanephorustangzhaoyangi Zhao & Liu, sp. nov. is described from Yunnan Province, China. A lectotype is designated for Fruhstorferiabirmanica Arrow, 1907. Didrepanephorusmizunumai Nagai & Hirasawa, 1991 is reported from Myanmar for the first time.

On the genus Mimela Kirby, 1823 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from China and adjacent countries, with description of five new species.

Five new species of the leaf chafer genus Mimela Kirby, 1823 are described from China: M. prodigiosa Zhao, new species, M. semirubra Zhao, new species, M. varichroma Zhao, new species and M. admixta Zhao, new species from Yunnan as well as M. latimarginata Zhao, new species from Hainan. New faunistic and taxonomic information on species from China and adjacent countries are provided. Type material of M. sericea Ohaus, 1905 and M. soror Arrow, 1908 is illustrated for the first time.

Description of a new species of the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from China with notes on allied species.

Four Chinese species of the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 with dense setae on dorsal surface are illustrated, including D. heterocolor Qiu, Zhao Xu, new species from Guizhou. Didrepanephorus mucronatus Arrow, 1921 and D. subvittatus Benderitter, 1922 are newly recorded from China in Yunnan and Guangxi respectively. Detailed descriptions, intraspecific variations, and natural history are provided for the aforementioned species. Previously unknown female of D. nishiyamai Muramoto, 2006 is documented for the first time.

Contribution to the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) of China and adjacent regions. Part I: descriptions of two new species and remarks on four species.

Two new species of the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 are described: A. dianopicta Zhao, new species from Yunnan and A. huangyuzhoui Zhao, new species from Hunan. New distributional records for Anomala bella Arrow, 1917, A. blaisei Ohaus, 1914, A. cyanipennis Lin, 1999 and A. granuliformis Lin, 1996 are presented.

Notes on the genus Parastasia Westwood (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from China, with description of a new species.

Parastasia qiului Zhao, new species is described and illustrated from southwest China. This new species is allied to P. akebono Wada, 2015 from India, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the differences of color pattern and the shape of aedeagus. Parastasia sawadai Wada, 2003, P. alternata Arrow, 1899, and P. indica Ohaus, 1898 are reported new to Chinese fauna. Additional records for P. oberthueri Ohaus, 1900 and P. birmana Arrow, 1899 are provided. The knowledge of the natural history in this genus is improved.

Triphenylethylene-Coumarin Hybrid TCH-5c Suppresses Tumorigenic Progression in Breast Cancer Mainly Through the Inhibition of Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Coumarins are a wide group of naturally occurring compounds which exhibit a wide range of biological properties such as anti-cancer activities. Here, we characterized the biological functions of three Triphenylethylene-Coumarin Hybrids (TCHs) both in cell culture and nude mouse model. METHODS: Cell proliferation assay was performed in the cell cultures of both EA.hy926 endothelial cell and breast cancer cell lines treated with different concentrations of compound TCH-10b, TCH-5a and TCH-5c. Flowcytometry assay and Western blotting were used to further investigate the effect and mechanism of TCH-5c on EA.hy926 cell proliferation and cell cycle. The effects of TCH-5c on endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis were determined using cytoskeleton staining, migration assay and tube formation assay. Inhibition of breast cancer cell line derived VEGF by TCH-5c was shown through ELISA and the use of conditioned media. SK-BR-3 xenograft mouse model was established to further study the anti-tumorigenic role of compound TCH-5c in vivo. RESULTS: We found that compound TCH-5c has inhibitory effects on both vascular endothelial cells and breast cancer cell lines. Compound TCH-5c inhibited proliferation, resulted in cell death, increased p21 protein expression to induce G0/G1 arrest and changed endothelial cell cytoskeleton organization and migration in EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Compound TCH-5c also inhibited breast cancer cell line derived VEGF secretion, decreased breast cancer cell-induced endothelial cell tube formation in vitro and suppressed SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell-initiated tumor formation in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the coumarin derivative TCH-5c exerts its anti-cancer effects by 1. inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, migration. 2. suppressing tube formation and angiogenesis induced by breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results have potential implications in developing new approaches against breast cancer.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Cucujus Fabricius (Coleoptera, Cucujidae) from China.

Cucujus costatus Zhao Zhang, new species is described from Guangdong, China. This new species can be easily recognized by the longitudinal elevated carinae on elytra and its strongly convex eyes. Additional records for C. kempi Grouvelle, 1913 and C. elongatus Lee Pütz, 2008 are added. A key to the known Chinese species of Cucujus Fabricius is given.

Precision De Novo Peptide Sequencing Using Mirror Proteases of Ac-LysargiNase and Trypsin for Large-scale Proteomics.

De novo peptide sequencing for large-scale proteomics remains challenging because of the lack of full coverage of ion series in tandem mass spectra. We developed a mirror protease of trypsin, acetylated LysargiNase (Ac-LysargiNase), with superior activity and stability. The mirror spectrum pairs derived from the Ac-LysargiNase and trypsin treated samples can generate full b and y ion series, which provide mutual complementarity of each other, and allow us to develop a novel algorithm, pNovoM, for de novo sequencing. Using pNovoM to sequence peptides of purified proteins, the accuracy of the sequence was close to 100%. More importantly, from a large-scale yeast proteome sample digested with trypsin and Ac-LysargiNase individually, 48% of all tandem mass spectra formed mirror spectrum pairs, 97% of which contained full coverage of ion series, resulting in precision de novo sequencing of full-length peptides by pNovoM. This enabled pNovoM to successfully sequence 21,249 peptides from 3,753 proteins and interpreted 44-152% more spectra than pNovo+ and PEAKS at a 5% FDR at the spectrum level. Moreover, the mirror protease strategy had an obvious advantage in sequencing long peptides. We believe that the combination of mirror protease strategy and pNovoM will be an effective approach for precision de novo sequencing on both single proteins and proteome samples.

Overexpression of YB1 C-terminal domain inhibits proliferation, angiogenesis and tumorigenicity in a SK-BR-3 breast cancer xenograft mouse model.

Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB1) is a multifunctional transcription factor with vital roles in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In this study, we have examined the role of its C-terminal domain (YB1 CTD) in proliferation, angiogenesis and tumorigenicity in breast cancer. Breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 was infected with GFP-tagged YB1 CTD adenovirus expression vector. An 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) proliferation assay showed that YB1 CTD decreased SK-BR-3 cell proliferation, and down-regulated cyclin B1 and up-regulated p21 levels in SK-BR-3 cells. YB1 CTD overexpression changed the cytoskeletal organization and slightly inhibited the migration of SK-BR-3 cells. YB1 CTD also inhibited secreted VEGF expression in SK-BR-3 cells, which decreased SK-BR-3-induced EA.hy926 endothelial cell angiogenesis in vitro. YB1 CTD overexpression attenuated the ability of SK-BR-3 cells to form tumours in nude mice, and decreased in vivo VEGF levels and angiogenesis in the xenografts in SK-BR-3 tumour-bearing mice. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the vital role of YB1 CTD overexpression in inhibiting proliferation, angiogenesis and tumorigenicity of breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3.

Krüppel-like factor 4 induces apoptosis and inhibits tumorigenic progression in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) functions as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in different tissues by regulating the expression of various genes. The aim of this study was to reveal the functions of KLF4 in regulating breast cancer apoptosis, proliferation, and tumorigenic progression. KLF4 expression levels in breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines were found to be much lower than those in nontumorous tissues and a nontransformed mammary epithelial cell line. KLF4 was upregulated in the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell apoptotic process. Overexpression of KLF4 promoted SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell apoptosis and suppressed SK-BR-3 cell tumorigenicity in vivo.