Description

Methoprene is a juvenile growth hormone analog that acts as a growth regulator in insects; it prohibits the ability of the insect to change from pupae to adult (which requires the absence of juvenile growth hormones). This compound is used to control mosquito populations and to inhibit the spread of malaria and dengue fever. Methoprene interacts with cell membranes and alters cell bioenergetics, including Ca2+ signaling and redox activity of cytochrome oxidase. Methoprene also induces male sex differentiation in crustacean oocytes, resulting in production of all male offspring.