Capsaicin receptor immunoreactivity in the human trigeminal ganglion.
The cloned capsaicin receptor, also known as vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) receptor, has been demonstrated to be an integral membrane protein with homology to a family of putative store-operated calcium channels. The VR1 receptor is activated not only by capsaicin but also by noxious heat and protons, and therefore it is suggested as a molecular integrator of chemical and physical stimuli tha