The HIF-1α-dependent increase of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 (ref. 1), the repression of the hexameric MCM helicase 2–7 (refs 32) or the HIF-independent inhibition of mRNA translation33 have been described as important regulators of hypoxia-induced growth suppression that, however, can be counteracted by tumour-specific genetic alterations. The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is neoplasm.