Figure 1. Ions affect the gating properties of kainate receptors.

Membrane currents activated by brief (1 ms) applications of 10 mm l-Glu at various membrane potentials (−100 to + 125 mV, 15 mV increments) in 55 mm (A) and 405 mm (B) symmetrical NaCl. In each case, the top trace shows the junction current (1 ms) recorded with an open patch electrode at the end of the experiment. C, summary plot comparing the deactivation rates measured in low (55 mm Na⁺, ○, n = 11) and high (405 mm Na⁺, •, n = 3) ionic strength.