A novel function of neuroligin 3: Beyond sociality, Regulating lifespan in Drosophila

In Drosophila melanogaster, graded neuroligin 3 (nlg3) manipulation links synaptic gene dosage to lifespan and social spacing, with reduced nlg3 extending lifespan and increasing social distance.

• Why it matters: The study addresses whether a conserved postsynaptic synaptic adhesion protein can connect social behaviour with organismal longevity, beyond its known roles in synaptic function and behaviour.
• What they did: It analyzed publicly available transcriptomics data and confirmed findings with RT-qPCR, showing nlg3 loss-of-function downregulates longevity-associated genes foxo, hsp70s, and hsp68. It then used graded genetic manipulation (heterozygous deletion, transposable-element insertion, overexpression, complete deletion, and RNAi knockdown) to measure lifespan and social distance/space.
• The result: Reduced nlg3 expression extends lifespan in both sexes, whereas overexpression or complete deletion shortens it; these same manipulations increase social distance/space, while heterozygous reduction lowers or does not alter social space. This identifies a link between nlg3, social behaviour, and organismal longevity in Drosophila melanogaster.