Under hypoxic conditions, proteins like the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α are upregulated in cancer cells (Zhong et al, 1999; Kondo et al, 2000; Cooke et al, 2001; López-Barneo et al, 2001). The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is cancer.