L-glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter at many synapses in the central nervous system. The postsynaptic actions of glutamate are mediated by a variety of receptors that are named according to their selective agonists. Required for response to mechanical and osmotic stimuli. Command interneurons of the locomotory control circuit (AIA, AIB, AVA, AVD, AVE, PVC, RIA, RIG and RIR) and motor neurons (AVG, M1, RMDD and RMDV). Belongs to the glutamate-gated ion channel (TC 1.A.10.1) family.