TRPV1 (also named VR1, capsaicin receptor and vanilloid receptor) is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family, which includes TRPC, TRPM, TRPA, TRPP, TRPML and the TRPV subfamilies. The TRPV subfamily consists of six members named, TRPV1-6. The TRPV1 channel is a vanilloid gated, nonselective cation channel.

The channel has sequence homology to the TRP family, and shares a similar predicted structure of six transmembrane domain (TM) with a pore loop between TM5 and TM6.¹ TRPV1 is expressed predominantly in nociceptors and in sensory neurons.^2,3

TRPV1 has many activators among them heat, protons, vanilloids like capsaicin, resiniferatoxin (RTX), and lipids.⁴ This channel is associated with tissue injury and inflammation.^5,6

Other members of this family, TRPV2, TRPV3 and TRPV4 also show thermal sensitivity.⁷ Conformational changes in the C-terminus are responsible for many functions such as permeation and gating.

There is also evidence that deletion of the C-terminus causes a loss of sensitivity to any stimuli.⁷ Recent studies demonstrated involvement of TRPV1 in apoptosis where inhibition of the receptor prevented apoptosis.^8,9