[Potential-dependent changes in the conductance of the somas of snail neurons induced by glutamate in near-threshold concentrations].

The transmembrane chloride currents induced by glutamate were measured with voltage clamp technique in the somatic membrane of an identified snail neuron. At high concentrations of glutamate (greater than 10(-4)M) current-voltage characteristics of the membrane were linear within the range of measurements (from -30 to -100 mV). At threshold concentrations the membrane conductance increased with increasing clamp membrane potential. It assumed that at small concentration of glutamate the quantity of chloride channels opened by transmitter is a function of membrane potential. The possible effect of membrane potential and concentration of transmitter on conductance and lifetime of single ionic channels is discussed.