We investigated the mechanisms by which metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulate specific Ca2+ channels in cerebellar granule cells. A large fraction of the current in granule cells is carried by L- and Q-type Ca2+ channels (about 26% each), whereas N- and P-type contribute proportionally less to the global current (9 and 15%, respectively). l-Aminocyclopentane-dicarboxylate (t-ACPD), (2S,3S,4S)-alpha-(carboxycyclopropyl)-glycine (L-CCGI) and (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine [(S)-4C3HPG], but not L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) reduced the Ca2+ current amplitude. The t-ACPD-induced inhibition was fully antagonized by (+/-)-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [(+/-)-MCPG] and blocked by pertussis toxin (PTX). These results are consistent with inhibitory response mediated by mGluR2/R3. The use of specific Ca2+ channel blockers provided evidence that mGluR2/R3 inhibited both L- and N-type Ca2+ currents. In PTX-treated cells, Glu or t-ACPD, but not L-CCGI or L-AP4, increased the Ca2+ current. Consistent with the activation of mGluR1, the antagonists (+)-MCPG and (S)-4C3HPG prevented the facilitation of Ca2+ current produced by t-ACPD. The mGluR1-activated facilitation was completely blocked by nimodipine, indicating that L-type Ca2+ currents were selectively potentiated.