Key Words: TRPC1 Ⅲ VEGF Ⅲ ISV Ⅲ angiogenesis Ⅲ zebrafish T he vascular system of vertebrates consists of a stereotyped and highly branched network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. This network extends into every tissue of the body and is tailored to its local physiological function. [1][2][3] The development of vascular networks requires 2 successive processes, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. 1,2 During vasculogenesis, mesoderm-derived hemangioblasts differentiate in situ into endothelial cells (ECs), which coalesce at the midline to form a lumenized vascular plexus. 1,2 This primary network subsequently expands through angiogenesis, which is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting ones. 1,2 Numerous ligands and their receptors have been identified to exert positive or negative regulation on angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/ VEGF receptors, angiopoietin/Tie and notch/␦-like 4, [3][4][5][6][7][8] and their downstream signaling pathways have also been partially elucidated. [3][4][5][6][7] For example, VEGF-induced angiogenesis is mainly attributable to the activation of both Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK)1/2 cascade and AKT/protein kinase B pathway. 9 Angiopoietin1/Tie2-induced EC migration during angiogenesis is largely mediated by the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. 8 There is increasing evidence that guidance of vessels and nerves during development share common underlying mechanisms. [2][3][4][5][6]10,11 Some axon guidance molecules, such as ephrins, netrins, and slits, also influence angiogenic sprouting. 3,6,7,10,11 Recent studies have shown that Ca 2ϩ -permeable transient receptor potential type C channels (TRPCs) 12 are downstream effectors of the axon guidance molecules netrin-1, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and myelinassociated glycoprotein, and are required for axon guidance triggered by these cues. [13][14][15] The TRPC family is composed of 7 members in mammals (TRPC1 to -7). 12 In the vascular Original received March 19, 2009; resubmission received August 19, 2009; revised resubmission received February 10, 2010; accepted February 11, 2010. From [17][18][19] However, the role of TRPCs in vascular development remains largely unknown. The goal of this study is to investigate whether TRPCs are important for angiogenesis in vivo.The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model system for in vivo study of vascular development. 20 Transgenic lines with vascular ECs expressing fluorescent proteins allow imaging of blood vessel growth in live embryos. 21,22 Moreover, a range of reverse genetic methods, including the antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)-based knockdown approach, 23,24 have been developed for manipulating gene expression and function in zebrafish. 25 Recently, zebrafish trpc1 was identified. It is highly homologous to mammalian trpc1 and ubiquitously expressed postfertilization until 24 hours. 26 In the present study, we examined the...