Evaluation of two distinctive beta-carbolines on serotonin binding in human platelets.

6-MeOTHBC binds to both high and low affinity receptors in human platelets. The beta-carboline is less active than chlorimipramine at the low affinity site, and it is weaker than methysergide, a known 5-HT antagonist, at the high affinity site. The other beta-carboline, B-CCE, is not active at either receptor in platelets. The data supports the view that platelets could be used as a limited model for studying 5-HT-ergic neurons.