Mechanism of histamine induced dispersal response in the isolated web melanophores of a frog, Rana tigerina (Daud.).

ABSTRACT

Effects of histamine and specific H1, H2 receptor agonists have been investigated on the isolated web skin melanophores of the frog, R. tigerina. Histamine, 2-methyl-histamine and 4-methyl-histamine all induced dose dependent dispersion in the frog melanophores. Reserpine treatment of the frog skin, either in vivo, or in vitro potentiated the dispersal response of the frog skin melanophores elicited by histamine. Histamine induced dispersal responses in the frog integumentary melanophores were partially blocked by mepyramine and ranitidine. Atropine failed to inhibit the dispersal response in any degree. Propranolol partially inhibited the dispersion of frog melanophores induced by histamine and 2-methyl-histamine. However, propranolol completely blocked the dispersal response of the mealnophores to 4-methyl-histamine. It is suggested that histamine induced dispersion in the frog skin melanophores in vitro is mediated partially through specific H1, H2 and beta adrenergic receptors.