What medical application has been derived from a peptide found within the venom of *B. jararaca*?
Answer
The development of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used for treating human hypertension.
The complex biochemical makeup of the toxins produced by *Bothrops* species has proven beneficial beyond ecological function. Specifically, a peptide component isolated from the venom of *B. jararaca* served as the structural basis for the development of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs are widely utilized in modern medicine for the effective management of human hypertension, or high blood pressure. This application underscores the long-term evolutionary utility and chemical sophistication inherent in the venom components developed by this snake lineage for prey capture and defense.
Related Questions
What sensory adaptation defines the Crotalinae subfamily snakes like the Yarara complex, reflected in the Greek derivation of *Bothrops*?How do the venom activities of male versus female *B. jararaca* illustrate sexual dimorphism in toxin expression?What ontogenetic shift in venom composition occurs in *B. jararaca* juveniles compared to adults, and what dietary change correlates with this?What distinct dorsal patterning characterizes *Bothrops alternatus*, earning it the common name Crossed Pit Viper?What specialized hunting behavior do juvenile *B. jararaca* utilize to attract small prey, often observed when they are young and potentially arboreal?What is the evolutionary significance of delayed fertilization in female *Bothrops* species regarding offspring survival?Which species within the Yarara complex reaches considerable size, potentially up to 2.2 meters, and favors Atlantic forest and semi-deciduous environments?What medical application has been derived from a peptide found within the venom of *B. jararaca*?What environmental factor is cited as a significant driver for diversification and speciation within the *Bothrops* complex of the Yarara group?How does the slender physical form and habitat preference of *Bothrops jararaca* contrast with the characteristics of *Bothrops alternatus*?