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Papers of the Week


1997 Oct 23


Nature


389


6653

Classic Paper

The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway.

Authors

Caterina MJ, Schumacher MA, Tominaga M, Rosen TA, Levine JD, Julius D
Nature. 1997 Oct 23; 389(6653):816-24.
PMID: 9349813.

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.