Is the Platelet Serotonin Transporter Different in Venous vs. Arterial Blood?

Abstract  The binding of labelled paroxetine to the serotonin transporter (SERT) of platelet membranes has been studied in both venous and mixed venous/arterial blood of the rat. In addition, we studied the inhibition of paroxetine binding to SERT by quipazine and N-methyl-quipazine (NMQ). The results indicate differences in affinity for the two test drugs, quipazine and NMQ, in venous vs. mixed venous/arterial blood. This suggests different post-translational modifications of SERT in platelets of arterial vs. venous blood.