1. The effect on membrane potential (Em) of low external [K+]o, [Na+]o and [Ca2+]o and of metabolic inhibitors was studied in cultured human glial cells (U-787CG) and human glioma cells (Tp-483MG and U-251MG). Whole cells were voltage or current clamped with the tight-seal recording technique. 2. Em was -76 and -80 mV in glial and glioma cells (mean values in U-787CG and U-251MG, respectively) in a reference external solution with 3.0 mM K+. K(+)-free external solution caused a rapid and reversible depolarization of these cells by about 26 and 42 mV (respectively). 3. Block of K+ channels with 1 mM Ba2+ in external solution rapidly depolarized the cells (U-251MG) by about 35 mV. 4. Na(+)-free solutions caused a delayed depolarization by 40-50 mV, which was slowly reversible (in 2 min). 5. Ouabain (1 mM) depolarized the cells by about 4 mV. It did not prevent the effect of K(+)-free solution. 6. Ca(2+)-free external solution rapidly depolarized the cells to Em about -17 mV. The combination of either Na(+)-K(+)-free or Na(+)-Ca(2+)-free solution transiently repolarized the cell, which indicated that the K+ selectivity of the membrane was decreased in both K(+)- and Ca(2+)-free solutions. 7. Metabolic inhibitors (carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)) rapidly and reversibly depolarized the cells. This effect was not prevented by intracellular perfusion of a strong Ca(2+)-buffering solution. 8. Voltage clamp revealed only minor changes (< 20%) in the leak conductance (g) of cells that were depolarized by the above-mentioned solutions. 9. Positive polarizing current elicited (in some cells) a regenerative depolarization. The threshold for depolarization was less in low external [K+]o. 10. It is concluded (a) that the resting potential of these glial cells depends on ion channels that are K+ selective only in the presence of external Ca2+ and K+ and (b) that this K+ selectivity may require that Em is near the reversal potential for potassium (EK), and (c) that the action of metabolic inhibitors (DNP and FCCP) is different from that in neurones.