HeLa cells have histamine H1-receptors which mediate activation of the K+ conductance

HeLa cells responded to exogenous histamine with a transient hyperpolarization due to increased membrane conductance to K+. After successive applications of histamine, the cell membrane became virtually unresponsive (desensitized). The responses were blocked by pyrilamine but not by cimetidine. Thus, it appears that HeLa cells have H1-receptors which mediate an increase in the K+ conductance.