Evidence that histamine is a neurotransmitter in an insect extraocular photoreceptor pathway

The pair of vasopressin-like immunoreactive (VPLI) neurones of the locust Locusta migratoria have cell bodies in the suboesophageal ganglion and extensive arborization throughout the central nervous sytem. The activity of the VPLI neurone is regulated by a spontaneously active excitatory descending interneurone (DI) that is, in turn, inhibited by an uncharacterised extraocular photoreceptor (EOP) system located in the brain. Light directed at the brain results in inhibition of DI activity, which thereby deprives the VPLI neurone of its major synaptic input. We present evidence that histamine plays an important role in the EOP­DI­VPLI pathway. Histamine mimics the EOP-mediated inhibition of the DI, and the H2-specific histamine antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine block its inhibitory action. Histamine application to various areas of the brain localises the area where histaminergic inhibition occurs; this region is confined to the medial protocerebrum. At least six bilaterally paired histamine-like immunoreactive neurones send axonal projections into this area. Depolarisation of the brain region containing the soma of these neurones with high-K+ saline deactivates the VPLI neurone through the removal of the DI excitatory synaptic input.