The present invention relates to a method of identifying a molecule suitable for the treatment, prophylaxis or alleviation of pain, the method comprising determining whether a candidate molecule is an agonist or antagonist, including a opener, blocker or modulator, of Kv9.2 polypeptide, in which the Kv9.2 polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5, or a sequence which is at least 90% identical thereto.