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- Title
The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway.
- Authors
Caterina, M J; Schumacher, M A; Tominaga, M; Rosen, T A; Levine, J D; Julius, D
- Abstract
Capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in 'hot' chilli peppers, elicits a sensation of burning pain by selectively activating sensory neurons that convey information about noxious stimuli to the central nervous system. We have used an expression cloning strategy based on calcium influx to isolate a functional cDNA encoding a capsaicin receptor from sensory neurons. This receptor is a non-selective cation channel that is structurally related to members of the TRP family of ion channels. The cloned capsaicin receptor is also activated by increases in temperature in the noxious range, suggesting that it functions as a transducer of painful thermal stimuli in vivo.
- Publication
Nature, 1997, Vol 389, Issue 6653, p816
- ISSN
0028-0836
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/39807