Raw LC-MS/MS data were processed through ProteoWizard software for feature detection, peak alignment, and retention time correction. Metabolites were annotated against the Metware database (MWDB), KEGG database (https://www.genome.jp/kegg/), and Human Metabolome Database (HMDB, https://hmdb.ca/metabolites). Multivariate analyses, including principal components analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA),
were performed using an R package (MetaboAnalystR). Differential metabolites were defined based on variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1 and p-value < 0.05.
"],"technology_type":["mass spectrometry assay"],"disease":[""],"extraction_protocol":["Frozen ovarian samples were homogenized at 30 Hz for 20 sec in 70% methanol containing internal standards. After homogenization, the samples were vortexed at 1,500 rpm for 5 min and incubated on ice for 15 min. The mixtures were then centrifuged at 12,000 g for 10 min at 4°C. The resulting supernatant (300 μL) was collected and used for LC-MS/MS analysis.
"],"organism":["Apis mellifera"],"data_transformation_protocol":["Raw LC-MS/MS data were processed through ProteoWizard software for feature detection, peak alignment, and retention time correction. Metabolites were annotated against the Metware database (MWDB), KEGG database (https://www.genome.jp/kegg/), and Human Metabolome Database (HMDB, https://hmdb.ca/metabolites). Multivariate analyses, including principal components analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA),
were performed using an R package (MetaboAnalystR). Differential metabolites were defined based on variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1 and p-value < 0.05.
"],"study_factor":["Biological replicate"],"metabolights_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/MTBLS14234"],"submitter_email":["hanbin_bee@163.com"],"sample_collection_protocol":["Ovarian samples were collected from non-swarming queen (NQ) and swarming queen (SQ) groups, and six biological replicates were analyzed per group, with each replicate consisting of half an ovary from one queen. Samples were immediately frozen and stored at -80°C until metabolite extraction.
"],"repository":["MetaboLights"],"study_status":["Public"],"ptm_modification":[""],"omics_type":["Metabolomics"],"instrument_platform":["Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse-phase","Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse-phase"],"study_design":["Apis mellifera","Ovary","Metabolomics","untargeted analysis","Shimadzu LC-30A Nexera UHPLC system","Honey Bee","Swarming","AB SCIEX TripleTOF 6600","untargeted metabolite profiling"],"chromatography_protocol":["LC-MS/MS analyses were performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography system (LC20, Shimadzu, Japan) coupled to a TripleTOF 6600 mass spectrometer (AB SCIEX, USA). For chromatographic separation, an ACQUITY Premier HSS T3 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm, Waters, USA) was used. The column temperature was maintained at 40°C, the flow rate was 0.4 mL/min, and the injection volume was 2 μL. The mobile phases consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (phase A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (phase B). Gradient elution was performed as follows: 0-11 min, 95% A to 10% A; 11-12 min, 10% A; 12-12.1 min, 10% A to 95% A; 12.1-14 min, 95% A.
"],"publication":["Conserved cellular signals and mechanisms accompany the reproductive shutdown of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens for dispersal."],"curator_keywords":["Apis mellifera","Ovary","Metabolomics","untargeted analysis","Shimadzu LC-30A Nexera UHPLC system","Honey Bee","Swarming","AB SCIEX TripleTOF 6600","untargeted metabolite profiling"],"submitter_affiliation":["Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculutal Research"],"submitter_name":["Bin Han"],"mass_spectrometry_protocol":["Mass spectrometric detection was carried out on a SCIEX Triple TOF 6600 mass spectrometer operated in both positive and negative ion modes. The ion source temperature was set to 550°C. The spray voltage was set at ±5,000 V / 4,000 V. Data were acquired over a mass range of 25–1000m/z, and the collision energy was set to ±30 V.
"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Conserved cellular signals and mechanisms accompany the reproductive shutdown of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens for dispersal","description":"Temporal reproductive plasticity is a central life-history trait for most iteroparous animals, yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We utilize the reversible reproductive arrest experienced by honey bee queens during colony swarming to investigate how these reproductive specialists dynamically adapt their physiology. We demonstrate that pre-swarming nutritional restriction triggers a resource reallocation, whereby ovarian mass declines as flight muscle function is enhanced, providing empirical support for a flight-fecundity trade-off. This transition is accompanied by elevated juvenile hormone and suppressed ecdysteroid and vitellogenin levels, together with the engagement of three spatially distinct oogenesis checkpoints. These checkpoints engage programmed cell death pathways: autophagy predominates in germarial stem cells and follicle cells, while apoptosis is the primary mechanism in vitellarium oocytes and nurse cells, collectively orchestrating oogenesis arrest. Integrated whole-transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed broad molecular remodeling, including changes in FoxO-, Notch-, Wnt-, and Hippo-related signatures that accompanied oogenesis suppression. Our results indicate a “nutrition–hormone–checkpoint–programmed cell death” model that links colony-level swarming to individual ovary suppression. This work provides a systematic framework for understanding the molecular regulation of the reversible reproductive plasticity of honey bee queens.","dates":{"publication":"2026-04-09","submission":"2026-04-08"},"accession":"MTBLS14234","cross_references":{}}