Permeability changes produced by L-glutamate at the excitatory post-synaptic membrane of the crayfish muscle

1. Permeability changes produced by L-glutamate at the neuromuscular junction of the crayfish (Cambarus clarkii) were investigated by application of the drug iontophoretically to the voltage-clamped junction and measuring the resulting 'glutamate current'. 2. Reversal potentials were determined by measuring the glutamate current at different membrane potentials. They were +39-1 +/- 3-6 mV (mean +/- S.E. of mean) in normal solution and +16-5 +/- 2-0 mV in solutions made twice as hypertonic by the addition of sucrose. 3. Decreasing external Na+ concentration shifted the reversal potential in the negative direction; increased Na+ in the positive direction. 4. The relation between the amplitude of the glutamate current and extracellular Na+ concentration was approximately linear. 5. Alteration of the external K+ or Cl- concentration did not affect the amplitude or reversal potential of glutamate current. 6. In Na+-free solution the application of L-glutamate produced a small inward current at the resting potential and its amplitude was augmented by increasing the external Ca2+ concentration. 7. Increasing the Ca2+ concentration in the normal Na+ media produced no appreciable effect on the reversal potential but decreased the amplitude of glutamate current. 8. The results indicate that L-glutamate increases the membrane permeability mainly to Na+ and slightly to Ca2+. 9. The time course of glutamate current was shorter than that of the concentration calculated from the diffusion equation and it was simulated more closely by the square of the concentration.