Capsaicin Receptor

Abstract

Capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in 'hot' chilli peppers, elicits a s ensation of burning pain by selectively activating sensory neurons that con vey information about noxious stimuli to the central nervous system. We hav e used an expression cloning strategy based on calcium influx to Isolate a functional cDNA encoding a capsaicin receptor from sensory neurons. This re ceptor is a non-selective cation channel that is structurally related to me mbers of the TRP family of ion channels. The cloned capsaicin receptor Is a lso activated by increases in temperature In the noxious range, suggesting that it functions as a transducer of painful thermal stimuli in vivo.