Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) (JHE)

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is a highly specific carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.59) that serves as a master regulator of insect metamorphosis by degrading juvenile hormone (JH) [1, 2]. JH is a sesquiterpenoid that maintains the juvenile state; its rapid clearance by JHE is a prerequisite for the initiation of the pupal and adult developmental programs [2, 10]. JHE belongs to the alpha/beta hydrolase fold superfamily and is characterized by an exceptionally low Michaelis constant (Km) for JH, allowing it to scavenge the hormone at picomolar concentrations in the hemolymph [2, 11]. Because of its pivotal role in insect physiology, JHE is a primary target for the development of biorational insecticides and biopesticides [6, 14]. Inhibitors such as trifluoromethyl ketones (e.g., OTFP) and phosphoramidates disrupt the endocrine balance of pests, leading to developmental abnormalities, giant larvae, or death [6, 10, 11]. While not a target for human clinical therapy, JHE is a critical focus for controlling agricultural pests and vectors of human diseases, such as mosquitoes [6, 16].

Other names

JH esteraseJuvenile hormone carboxyesteraseMethyl-(2E,6E)-(10R,11S)-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate acylhydrolase

Inhibition of juvenile hormone degradation leading to developmental arrest and failure of metamorphosis [1, 6, 11].