Progress in research on lifespan plasticity and aging regulation in honeybees

Author of the article:ZHAN Hong-Ping1, 2, 3** WEI Xiao-Ping2, 4 JIANG Hui-Zhi1, 3 ZENG Zhi-Jiang1, 3***

Author's Workplace：1. Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; 2. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang 550006, China; 3. Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China; 4. State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing 400715, China

Key Words：honeybee; telomere; epigenetic regulation; insulin signaling pathway; gut microbiota

Abstract：As in other social insects, there are significant differences in the lifespans of honeybee queens and workers, which provide a unique model for studying lifespan plasticity and aging regulation mechanisms in insects. This paper systematically reviews recent advances in research on the lifespan plasticity and age regulation of honeybees, focusing on telomere length, telomerase activity, epigenetic mechanisms, insulin signaling pathways, energy metabolism and oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and environmental stressors. Compared to workers, queen bees have higher telomerase activity and vitellogenin levels, increased H3K27ac modifications, and more stable mitochondrial function. They also have lower levels of juvenile hormone, methylation, and insulin signal pathway activity. In addition, the unique gut microbiota of queen honeybees significantly extends their lifespan by suppressing the IIS pathway and activating antioxidant defense mechanisms. The latest sequencing technology can allow the investigation of new regulatory nodes and biomarkers of honeybee lifespan plasticity and aging, the interaction between environmental stress and intrinsic aging mechanisms, and provide a new theoretical perspective for a deeper understanding of the biology of aging.