Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
06:05
Advanced Glycation End-Products Sensitize Human Sensory-Like Neuron Cells to Capsaicin-Induced Calcium Influx
Published on: May 2, 2025
386
Capsaicin: beyond TRPV1
Rebeca Juárez-Contreras1,2, Edgardo Mota-Carrillo1,3, Angelica Piedra-Ramírez1,4
1División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Capsaicin impacts mammalian physiology through both known Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) activation and novel TRPV1-independent pathways. These alternative mechanisms involve membrane interactions and unclassical targets, affecting non-neuronal cells.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, is known for its physiological effects.
- Classical capsaicin activity is mediated by the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel.
- Emerging research suggests capsaicin exerts effects independent of TRPV1 activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review capsaicin's actions via TRPV1-independent molecular mechanisms.
- To explore how capsaicin modifies membrane properties and interacts with unclassical targets.
- To discuss the physiological impact of these TRPV1-independent effects on non-neuronal cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing experimental data on capsaicin's molecular mechanisms.
- Analysis of studies investigating capsaicin's interaction with cell membranes.
- Examination of research on capsaicin's effects on non-neuronal cell physiology.
Main Results:
- Capsaicin exhibits pleiotropic actions through TRPV1-independent pathways.
- These effects are linked to alterations in cell membrane characteristics.
- Unclassical molecular targets are implicated in capsaicin's non-TRPV1 mediated actions.
Conclusions:
- Capsaicin's physiological impact extends beyond TRPV1 activation.
- TRPV1-independent mechanisms involving membrane modulation and novel targets are significant.
- These pathways influence non-neuronal cell function and overall mammalian physiology.
Keywords:
TRPV1-independentamphiphilic moleculeanti-canceranti-inflammatorycapsaicinmembrane propertiesMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:43Thermosensation
30.3K
Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
30.3K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
6.3K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
6.3K
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
4.7K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
4.7K
01:44Nociception
27.8K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
27.8K
01:20Pain
471
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
471
01:21G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
4.5K
GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision. The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
Sensory...
4.5K