Transcription of the pain-related TRPV1 gene requires Runx1 and C/EBPβ factors

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 channel (TRPV1) is an important endogenous transducer of noxious heat and chemical stimuli and is required during development of inflammatory hypersensitivity. The transcription factor Runx1 is known to play a relevant role in sensory neuron differentiation as it controls the expression of several sensory nociceptive receptors, including TRPV1. Here, we show that Runx1 up-regulates TRPV1 transcription activity by interacting directly with the proximal TRPV1 gene promoter sequence. Importantly, C/EBPβ a well-established heterodimer partner of Runx1 also binds to the TRPV1 promoter and cooperates with Runx1 to further stimulate TRPV1 transcription. Our results support a mechanism where Runx1-C/EBPβ-containing transcription regulatory complexes are recruited to the TRPV1 gene promoter to modulate TRPV1 expression in dorsal root ganglia neurons.