Endothelial cell talin1 is essential for embryonic angiogenesis

► Endothelial cells express only talin1 and not the highly related talin2. ► Inactivation of the talin1 gene in the embryo results in a rapid onset angiogenesis defect. ► Tln1 null endothelial cells in vivo are unable to form lumen-containing vessels. ► Talin1 and integrin-mediated adhesion are required from the earliest stages of angiogenesis.