The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated hVR-1,
hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel members of
the Capsaicin/Vanilloid receptor family. The invention also provides
antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors
containing hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, host cells
into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman
transgenic animals in which an hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 gene has been
introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated
hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and
anti-hVR-1, anti-hVR-2, and anti-rVR-2 antibodies. Diagnostic methods
utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
