The transient receptor potential channel vanilloid receptor subunit 1 (TRPV1) is amolecular integrator of physical and chemical stimuli in the peripheral nociceptor terminals. TRPV1 is an ionotropic channel that plays a critical role in both thermal nociception and inflammatoryhyperalgesia. Structure–function relationships are providing fundamental insights of the modular architecture of this neuronal recep-tor. As a result, the molecular determinants that endow TRPV1 with its physiological properties, namely activation byheat, potentiation byextracellular acidic pH, and inter-action with vanilloid-like compounds, as well as its per-meation properties are being unveiled
