VANILLOID RECEPTOR1

Receptor found selectively on sensory neurons, resembling (distantly) receptors of the TRP-type. Protein (95 kD) with six transmembrane domains having some similarity with SOCS (store-operated calcium channels), though VR-1 does not seem to be a selective calcium channel. Binding of capsaicin activates the receptor, which acts as a nonspecific cation channel, and induces death of the cell. Heat will also activate the receptor which has response characteristics similar to thermal nociceptors.