Patent ID: 8268572

Claim:
A method for identifying a candidate inhibitor of runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1)-mediated expression of a nociceptive receptor or ion channel, the method comprising contacting a test cell that expresses Runx1 and comprises a nucleic acid encoding a nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to a Runx1-sensitive promoter, with a test agent; measuring a test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel; comparing the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel to a control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel measured in a control cell that expresses Runx1 and comprises the nucleic acid encoding the nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to the Runx1-sensitive promoter, wherein the control cell is not contacted with the test agent; and identifying the test agent as a candidate inhibitor of Runx1-mediated expression of a nociceptive receptor or ion channel when the control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel is greater than the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel.