| Abstract: | The pattern of change in the density of L-glutamate- and glycine-activated ionic currents through the spinal cord neuronal membrane of 6–11 day chick embryos was traced using an enzymatic technique for isolating cells during voltage-clamp experiments. A general trend towards increased current density was found during cell differentiation, followed by a substantial reduction in the density of glycine-activated current on the 9th day of incubation. A reciprocal relationship between densities of L-glutamate- and glycine-activated currents were characteristic of individual neurons. The functional significance of the patterns identified is discussed in connection with the evolution of spinal cord motor function during embryogenesis.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 406–413, May–June, 1987. |
