title: Permeability changes induced by L-glutamate at the crayfish neuromuscular junction.
abstract: Two different methods are described which allow the reversal potential (Er) for the channels opened by L-glutamate at the voltage-clamped, crayfish neuromuscular junction to be measured accurately. In both cases the value of Er was found to be about +6 mV. Reversal potentials were also measured in solutions where Na+ was replaced by K+, Ca2+, or Mg2+; or in which Cl- was replaced by isethionate. In solutions where Na+ was partially replaced by K+, the measured reversal potentials were compared to theoretical values predicted by both the constant-field and equivalent-circuit equations. The experimental values were more accurately described by the constant-field equation. Permeability ratios (PX/PNa) for K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl- were calculated using the constant-field equation. K+ and Na+ were equally permeant while Ca2+ and Mg2+ were about half as permeant as the monovalent cations. Cl- was impermeant. The results of these experiments indicate that the L-glutamate activated channel is non-selective for cations. Furthermore, the value of the permeability ratios for the physiological cations tested are very similar to those obtained for the acetylcholine activated channel in vertebrate skeletal muscle.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D005971:Glutamates; D007473:Ion Channels; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D003208:Concanavalin A; D002110:Caffeine; D012964:Sodium; C009405:tetrabutylammonium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium