Vanilloids are pain evoking molecules that serve as ligands of the "heat and capsaicin receptor" TRPV1. Binding of either endogenous or exogenous vanilloids evokes channel and subsequent neuronal activation, leading to pain sensation. Despite its pivotal physiological role, the molecular basis of TRPV1 activation and deactivation is not fully understood. The highly conserved tyrosine in position 511 (Tyr 511 ) of the rat TRPV1 (rTRPV1) was the first residue to be identified as a necessary participant in the vanilloid-mediated response. rTRPV1 cryo-EM structures implicated rotation of this residue in the vanilloids bound state. Therefore, we hypothesize that the rTRPV1 Tyr 511 residue entraps vanilloids in their binding site, prolonging channel activity. To test our hypothesis, we generated an array of rTRPV1 mutants, containing the whole spectrum of Tyr 511 substitutions, and tested their response to both exo-and endovanilloids. Our data show that only substitutions of Tyr 511 to aromatic amino acids were able to mimic, albeit partially, the vanilloid-evoked activation pattern of the wt receptor. Although these substitutions reduced the channel sensitivity to vanilloids, a maximal open-channel lifetime could be achieved. Moreover, whereas their current activation rate remains intact, receptors with Tyr 511 substitutions exhibited a faster current deactivation. Our findings therefore suggest that the duration of channel activity evoked by vanilloids is regulated by the interaction between Tyr 511 and the agonist. To conclude, we suggest that Tyr 511 -mediated anchoring of vanilloids in their binding pocket is pivotal for TRPV1 activation and subsequent pain sensation.Vanilloids, both endogenous and exogenous, are pain evoking molecules (1, 2). They serve as ligands of the mammalian transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) 2 protein, a nonselective cation channel also known as the "heat and capsaicin receptor" (3). TRPV1 is mainly expressed on C and A␦ fibers of the somatosensory system, where it plays an essential role in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia and pain (4 -6). Furthermore, this polymodal receptor acts as a molecular sensor for a large array of acute noxious stimuli, of both physical and chemical nature, including, in addition to vanilloids, heat (Ͼ42°C) (7), low pH (pH Յ 6.5) (8, 9), and peptide toxins (10, 11). Although endovanilloids (such as the endocannabinoids anandamide, N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA), and lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid) have been identified as TRPV1 agonists (12, 13), its most known and studied activator is the exovanilloid capsaicin, the "hot" ingredient in chili peppers (14). However, although elucidating this ligandreceptor interaction will provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying noxious stimuli detection in the pain pathway, the molecular basis of vanilloids-mediated TRPV1 activation and deactivation is not fully understood.Since TRPV1 cloning in 1997 (3), several residues that participate in its vanilloid-mediated activ...