Depletion of the novel protein PHACTR-1 from human endothelial cells abolishes tube formation and induces cell death receptor apoptosis

► By using SSH, we discovered an unreported gene/PHACTR-1/in HUVECs. ► Its expression was dependent of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF-A165). ► PHACTR-1 knock-down caused a major impairment of tube formation. ► PHACTR-1 depletion induced in HUVECs apoptosis through death receptors.