Background The role of the Gαq/11-mediated signal transduction pathway in angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) induced cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. This study was to investigate the role of the Gαq/11 signal transduction pathway in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in 2K1C hypertensive rats and in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) and to elucidate the effects of the pathway on Ang Ⅱ induced cardiac hypertrophy.Methods Renal hypertension was induced in 2K1C hypertensive rats by placing a silver clip around the left renal artery. At 8 weeks after operation, the systolic blood pressure, the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LV/BW), and the concentration of AngⅡ in the heart were measured. The protein levels of Gαq/11 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were assayed by Western blot analysis, and the activity of phospholipase C (PLC) in the myocardium was detected using [3H]-PIP2 as a substrate. Changes in [3H]-leucine incorporation and in the protein levels of the signal molecules Gαq/11, PLCβ3, and ERK1/2 were measured after NRVMs were stimulated with 10-7mol/L AngⅡ. Results The protein levels of Gαq/11 and ERK1/2 in the hearts of 2K1C rats increased by 35.8% and 31.9%, respectively, compared with the sham group. The PLC activity in the 2K1C group was also significantly increased (P