gms | German Medical Science

Figure

Figure 16: Proton activation of vanilloid-receptors

Vanilloid such as Capsaicin, various environmental irritants and heat (> 43°C) may open the Vanilloid receptor for Na+ and Ca2+ ions, whereas H+-Ions are not able to activate the receptor. However, protons bind to the receptor and increase its responsiveness to protons and irritants (permissive activity).