The vanilloid receptor family of calcium-permeable channels: molecular integrators of microenvironmental stimuli.

The TRPV subfamily of calcium-permeable channels is widely distributed in sensory and nonsensory cells from nematodes to mammals. These channels can be variably activated by a diverse range of stimuli (osmotic/mechanical stress, noxious chemicals and heat, endogenous mediators) that often converge on the same channel. Evidence is presented that TRPV channels function as novel "molecular integrators" of diverse microenvironmental stimuli.