Mechanisms regulating Mg²⁺ transport in vascular smooth muscle cells are unclear. The ion channels, transient receptor potential cation channels 6 and 7 (TRP6 and TRP7), have been identified to play a critical role in Mg²⁺ uptake in renal and gastrointestinal epithelial cells. It is unknown whether these channels are also found in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and whether they are regulated by vasoactive agents. The aims of the present study were to investigate the presence of TRP6 and TRP7 in VSMCs and to evaluate whether aldosterone and Ang II influence expression of these channels. In addition we questioned whether these channels may contribute to altered cellular Mg²⁺ homeostasis in SHR. Low passaged cultured VSMCs from mesenteric arteries and aorta of WKY and SHR were studied. mRNA expression of TRP6 and TRP7 was evaluated by RT-PCR and TRP7 protein content was assessed by immunoblotting. VSMC [Mg²⁺]_i was measured using mag-fura2 methodology. Cells were exposed to Ang II and aldosterone (10^–7 mol/L) for 2-24 hours. Both TRP6 and TRP7 were expressed in aortic and mesenteric VSMCs from WKY and SHR. Basal levels of TRP7, but not TRP6, were significantly lower in VSMCs from SHR compared with WKY (»2-fold, p<0.01). Ang II and aldosterone time-dependently increased expression of TRP6 and TRP7 in WKY (2-4-fold), with only modest effects in SHR. Agonist-induced actions were greater in mesenteric VSMCs compared with aortic VSMCs. [Mg²⁺]_i was significantly lower in VSMCs from SHR versus WKY (p<0.05). Our data demonstrate that the Mg²⁺ channels LTRP6 and TRP7 are present and regulated by aldosterone and Ang II in VSMCs. Decreased expression and dysregulation of TRP7 may contribute to aberrant cellular Mg²⁺ homeostasis in VSMCs from SHR. These novel findings identify for the first time that TRP6 and TRP7 are functionally present in VSMCs and that their regulation may be altered in hypertension.