Locust dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurones directly innervate and modulate hindleg proprioceptors

A subgroup of the large efferent octopaminergic dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurones of the third thoracic ganglion, the DUM3,4,5 neurones, directly innervates the tendons of certain proprioceptors of the locust hindleg, the so-called strand receptors. The terminals of the DUM neurones occur in regions of the strands that also contain the dendrites of the mechanoreceptive sensory cells. Both stimulation of the DUM3,4,5 neurones and bath application of octopamine change the responses of strand receptor units to mechanical stimulation. In both situations, most single strand receptor units show an increased response to mechanical stimulation. Some units, however, decrease their sensitivity to mechanical stimulation in response to octopamine application or DUM neurone stimulation.