Glutamate-gated chloride channel subunit (PubMed:11095718, PubMed:8702744). Together with Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor Rdl, plays an important role in the visual response by regulating the activity of ON/OFF-selective neurons (PubMed:31535971). Glutamate binding triggers a rapidly reversible current, while the anti-helmintic drug ivermectin triggers a permanently open channel configuration (PubMed:8702744, PubMed:11095718). Inhibited by picrotoxin (PubMed:31535971). Pentamer (By similarity). Homomultimer. Expressed in the medulla layers (at protein level) (PubMed:31535971). Expressed in all major ON pathway medulla neurons (Mi1, Tm3, Mi4, and Mi9) and in OFF pathway neurons (Tm1, Tm2, Tm4, and Tm9) (PubMed:31535971). Expressed throughout development. Partially edited. Edited by Adar. Viable but with locomotor deficits (PubMed:31535971). Results in loss of light response in all neuronal layers part of the ON visual system (PubMed:31535971). In Mi1 neurons, does not affect function of the ON visual response (PubMed:31535971). RNAi-mediated knockdown in Mi1 or Tm3 neurons, does not affect function of the ON visual response (PubMed:31535971). Channels desensitize rapidly in the continued presence of glutamate and are activated by the glutamate analog ibotenate. In Xenopus oocytes, avermectins and nodulisporic acid directly activate channel conductance. Belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel (TC 1.A.9) family. Glutamate-gated chloride channel (TC 1.A.9.4) subfamily.