N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) and Non-Nmda (Metabotropic) Type Glutamate Receptors Modulate the Membrane Potential of the Schwann Cell of the Squid Giant Nerve Fibre

L-Glutamate application can produce three different responses in the membrane potential of the Schwann cell of the tropical squid, Sepioteuthis sepioidea, which appear to be mediated by three pharmacologically distinct classes of receptor. A class of non-NMDA-type receptors, with some similarities to metabotropic glutamate receptors, mediates the development of a rapid and long-lasting hyperpolarization. Two pharmacologically distinct classes of NMDA-type receptor are present. One mediates the development of a slow depolarization accompanied by a long-lasting change in responsiveness of the Schwann cell. The second produces rapid depolarizing responses during the period of this changed responsiveness. All three types of receptor can be activated by dipeptides containing excitatory amino acids.