HIV gp120 selectively reduces the glutamate-induced inward current and the acetylcholine-induced outward current in specific and identified Aplysia neurons without affecting dopamine (DA)- and serotonin (5-HT)-induced responses. 2. gp120 specifically decreases DA levels without significantly altering norepinephrine and 5-HT levels in Mytilus pedal ganglia. 3. The gp120-associated decrease in DA levels in Mytilus is dose dependent and exhibits a threshold level. 4. The alteration of in vitro DA levels is specific for gp120 since anti-gp120 blocks the effect. 5. gp120 and its effects appear to be stable due to the duration of treatment and the failure of secondary effects to materialize following antibody treatment.