Although much attention has been paid to S1P as a pleiotropic mediator required for normal embryonic development, particularly for cardiogenesis, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis (Liu et al, 2000), S1P has only recently been appreciated for its roles in lymphocyte trafficking, inflammation, cardiovascular and neurological disorders and tumour biology (Hla, 2004; Gardell et al, 2006). The gene discussed is MBTPS1; the disease is neoplasm.