Examination was made of the direct vascular effects of the hypertension-inducing pressor hormone angiotensin II on expression and activity of the voltage-gated calcium channel Ca(V)1.2. Freshly dissected rat superior mesenteric artery beds were maintained in organ culture unpressurized for 24 h in the presence or absence of angiotensin II. Relative to controls, angiotensin II increased Ca(V)1.2 protein expression and tension-inducing activity but not Ca(V)1.2 message. The increase in Ca(V)1.2 protein expression by angiotensin II was abrogated by damaging the endothelium. Thus, the endothelium is involved in regulating Ca(V)1.2 expression in the vascular wall.