Methods to identify inhibitors of Runx1-mediated expression of nociceptive receptors and ion channels

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid encoding the nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to the Runx1-sensitive promoter encodes a nociceptive receptor or ion channel chosen from TRPC3, TRPM8, TRPA1, Mrgprd, P2X3, Nav1.9/SNS2, TRPV1, TRPV2, Mrgpra1, Mrgpra2, Mrgpra3, Mrgpra6, Mrgprb4, Mrgprb5 and any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test cell comprises a Runx1 expression vector.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control cell comprises a Runx1 expression vector.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel and the control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel are corresponding amounts of transcript for the nociceptive receptor or ion channel.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel and the control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel are corresponding amounts of protein for the nociceptive receptor or ion channel.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid encoding the nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to the Runx1-sensitive promoter is part of an expression vector.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control cell is a dorsal root ganglion cell derived from a Runx1F/F; Wnt1-Cre mouse.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test compound is selected from the group consisting of small molecules, peptides, nucleic acids, and any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test compound is a small molecule.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test compound is a nucleic acid.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test compound inhibits expression of Runx1.

13. A method for identifying a candidate agent for use in inhibiting neuropathic pain, the method comprising

contacting a test cell that expresses runt-related transcription factor 1 (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 agent for use in inhibiting neuropathic pain 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.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the nucleic acid encoding the nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to the Runx1-sensitive promoter encodes a nociceptive receptor or ion channel chosen from TRPC3, TRPM8, TRPA1, Mrgprd, P2X3, Nav1.9/SNS2, TRPV1, TRPV2, Mrgpra1, Mrgpra2, Mrgpra3, Mrgpra6, Mrgprb4, Mrgprb5 and any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test cell comprises a Runx1 expression vector.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the control cell comprises a Runx1 expression vector.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel and the control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel are corresponding amounts of transcript for the nociceptive receptor or ion channel.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel and the control amount of expression of the nociceptive receptor or ion channel are corresponding amounts of protein for the nociceptive receptor or ion channel.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the nucleic acid encoding the nociceptive receptor or ion channel operatively linked to the Runx1-sensitive promoter is part of an expression vector.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the control cell is a dorsal root ganglion cell derived from a Runx1F/F; Wnt1-Cre mouse.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test compound is selected from the group consisting of small molecules, peptides, nucleic acids, and any combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test compound is a small molecule.

23. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test compound is a nucleic acid.

24. The method of claim 13 , wherein the test compound inhibits expression of Runx1.