Glutamate binding triggers a rapidly reversible current in heteromeric channels formed by glc-1 and glc-2, while the anti-helmintic drug ivermectin and other avermectins trigger a permanently open channel configuration. Channels containing only glc-1 are activated by ivermectin, but not by glutamate alone (in vitro). The heteromeric channel formed by glc-1 and glc-2 is also activated by ibotenate, and it is blocked by picrotoxin and flufenamic acid. Plays a role in the regulation of locomotor behavior.