Shape change of blood platelets induced by myelin basic protein

Summary Myelin basic protein (MBP) isolated from bovine spinal cord caused a marked shape change reaction of human blood platelets which was not accompanied by the release reaction and not inhibited by methysergide and spiroperidol. Only those basic proteins, including MBP, which had previously shown to exert neuronal depolarisation also induced the shape change reaction. Therefore, these findings may extend the use of platelets as neuronal models.Acknowledgment. We thank Miss B. Gieux and Miss M. Handschin for skilful technical assistance.