Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Mitochondrial Function and Chemical Toxicity Using Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: November 10, 2023
Royal jelly attenuates metabolic defects in a Drosophila mutant with elevated TORC1 activity
Yang Cheng1,2,3, Jiadong Cai1, Yuanyuan Fu2
1College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
Abstract:
Target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) is a master regulator of cell metabolism, and its dysregulation has been linked to an array of pathologies, including cancer and age-related diseases. Nprl3, a component of GTPase-activating protein towards Rags complex 1 (GATOR1), inhibits TORC1 activity under nutrient scarcity status. The nprl3 mutant exhibits some metabolic defects due to hyper TORC1 activity in Drosophila Royal jelly (RJ) is a honeybee-secreted product and plays an essential role in caste differentiation that requires TORC1 activity. RJ is also used as a health-benefit food for its potential roles on antioxidant and anti-aging. In this study, nprl3-mutant flies were used to measure the effect of RJ on metabolic modulation. Interestingly, RJ feeding significantly increased survival and decreased TORC1 activity in the nprl3 mutant. RJ feeding also ameliorated the abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and energy status in the nprl3 mutant. The proteins in RJ were characterized to be the essential components in increasing nprl3 mutant viability. These findings suggest that RJ modulates some metabolic defects associated with elevated TORC1 activity and that the nprl3-mutant fly might be a useful tool for investigating the bioactive components of RJ in vivo.
Insights
Royal jelly (RJ) improves survival and metabolic health in Drosophila mutants with hyperactive TORC1 signaling. This study highlights RJ
Area of Science:
- Cellular Metabolism
- Molecular Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) regulates cell metabolism; its dysregulation is linked to diseases.
- Nprl3 inhibits TORC1 under nutrient scarcity; nprl3 mutants show metabolic defects due to hyperactive TORC1.
- Royal jelly (RJ) is a bee product vital for caste differentiation and has potential anti-aging properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Royal jelly (RJ) on metabolic modulation in nprl3-mutant Drosophila.
- To assess RJ's impact on survival, TORC1 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and energy status in nprl3 mutants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nprl3-mutant Drosophila melanogaster to model metabolic defects.
- Administered Royal jelly (RJ) feeding to mutant flies.
- Quantified survival rates, TORC1 activity, ROS levels, and energy status.
- Characterized proteins within RJ for their role in viability.
Main Results:
- RJ feeding significantly increased survival in nprl3 mutants.
- RJ decreased hyperactive TORC1 signaling in the nprl3 mutant.
- RJ ameliorated abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and improved energy status.
- Proteins in RJ were identified as key contributors to increased mutant viability.
Conclusions:
- Royal jelly (RJ) effectively modulates metabolic defects associated with elevated TORC1 activity.
- The nprl3-mutant fly serves as a valuable in vivo model for studying RJ's bioactive components.
- RJ demonstrates potential for mitigating age-related metabolic dysfunction.
