We have recently cloned a novel human 5-HT1D receptor subtype termed 5-HT1D beta. CHO K1 cells expressing the human serotonin 5-HT1D beta receptor were assayed to determine the second messenger system of this receptor. Cyclic AMP radioimmunoassays revealed that the 5-HT1D beta receptor is negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase in this cell system. A maximum of 50% inhibition of forskolin stimulated cAMP production was obtained with 5-HT1 receptor agonists which was blocked by the non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist methiothepin (pKB = 100 nM). The novel anti-migraine drug sumatriptan, a putative 5-HT1D selective compound, acted as an agonist at the 5-HT1D beta receptor. Most notably metergoline, a putative 5-HT1 receptor antagonist, did not block the effects of 5-HT and was found to be acting as a full agonist at the 5-HT1D beta receptor. The ability of metergoline to act as an agonist at the 5-HT1D beta receptor may explain why it does not inhibit 5-HT and sumatriptan induced contraction of dog saphenous vein and other large conducting arteries. These results suggest that the 5-HT1D beta receptor may be the site of action of sumatriptan in preventing migraine, and that metergoline's actions on the dog saphenous vein are not contradictory to that hypothesis, as previously reported.