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Journal of Experimental Biology 49,341-361 (1968)
Published by Company of Biologists 1968

Pharmacological Properties of Excitatory Neuromuscular Synapses in the Locust

P. N. R. USHERWOOD ¹ and P. MACHILI ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow

1. The effects of a wide range of amino acids and related compounds on retractor unguis nerve-muscle preparations from the locust, grasshopper and cockroach have been investigated.

2. L-glutamate is the most active excitatory substance. The presence of two acidic groups and one amino group is essential for excitatory activity while the position of the amino group is of some importance in determining the level of activity.

3. When L-glutamate is applied iontophoretically to the muscle fibres, ‘glutamate’ depolarizations are recorded only at the synaptic sites. Other evidence that the action of glutamate is restricted to the synaptic sites is presented.

4. Perfusion of isolated locust retractor unguis nerve-muscle preparations with locust haemolymph does not markedly affect the neurally evoked mechanical responses. It appears that locust haemolymph contains little ‘free’ L-glutamate.

5. Four acidic amino aids have been identified in the perfusate from isolated retractor unguis preparations namely, glycine, alanine, aspartate and L-glutamate. However, only L-glutamate increases in concentration during stimulation of the retractor unguis nerve.

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