The presence of glutamate in nerve-muscle perfusates of Helix, Carcinus and Periplaneta

Abstract

1. 1. The perfusion of nerve-muscle preparations in the snail Helix aspersa, the crab Carcinus maenas and the cockroach Periplaneta americana is described. 2. 2. When the nervous system in these preparations is stimulated, a ninhydrin positive substance (NPS) appears in the perfusate. 3. 3. The amount of NPS produced is proportional to the number of stimuli. 4. 4. The NPS is identified by thin-layer chromatography as glutamate. 5. 5. The Helix muscle will contract to the addition of 2 × 10 −8 g/ml of glutamate; Periplaneta muscle contracts to the addition of 5 × 10 −8 g/ml glutamate. 6. 6. The role of glutamate as a nerve-muscle transmitter is discussed.