Presynaptic H-3 autoreceptors modulate histamine synthesis through cAMP pathway

Histamine H-3 receptors modulate histamine synthesis, although little is known about the transduction mechanisms involved. To investigate this issue, we have used a preparation of rat brain cortical miniprisms in which histamine synthesis can be modulated by depolarization and by H-3 receptor ligands. When the miniprisms were incubated in presence of forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP, or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), histamine synthesis was stimulated in 34, 29, and 47%, respectively. These stimulations could be prevented by the selective cAMP protein kinase blocker Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate triethylamine (Rp-cAMPs). Preincubation with the H-3 receptor agonist imetit prevented IBMX- (100% blockade) and forskolin- (70% blockade) induced stimulation of histamine synthesis. The H-3 inverse agonist thioperamide enhanced histamine synthesis in the presence of 1 mM IBMX or 30 mM potassium (+47 and +45%, respectively). Similarly, the H-3 antagonist clobenpropit enhanced histamine synthesis in the presence of 30 mM potassium (+ 59%). The cAMP-dependent protein kinase blockers Rp-cAMPs and PKI14-22 could impair the effects of thioperamide and clobenpropit, respectively. These results indicate that the adenylate cyclase-protein kinase A pathway is involved in the modulation of histamine synthesis by H-3 autoreceptors present in histaminergic nerve terminals.