Membranes prepared from stable transfected cells expressing the human gene encoding a functional 5-hydroxytryptaminelE (5HT1E) receptor were used to investigate high-affinity [3H]serotonin ([3H]5-HT) binding with scintillation proximity assay (SPA) technology. In this nonseparation format, membranes are captured by WGA-coated SPA fluoromicrospheres for detection of receptor-bound radioligand. Total binding observed was approximately 2000 cpm compared to a nonspecific signal of 100 cpm determined in the presence of 10,uM unlabeled 5-HT. Non-proximity effects (NPE) for the radiolabel and SPA beads averaged less than 100 cpm. Saturation binding analysis yielded an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 5.38 ± 0.43 nM and a maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 6.42 + 0.15 pmol/mg protein. Competition with unlabeled serotonergic compounds demonstrated a specificity of the assay with rank potencies (5-HT > a-Me-5-HT > 2-Me-5-HT > 5-CT) similar to those observed using traditional fitration techniques. The varia...