This result as well as recent clinical findings, in which the expression levels of HIF-1α and UCHL1 correlated with the tumour stage, grading and overall survival of breast cancer patients4, 5, 21, offers a rational basis for targeting the UCHL1–HIF-1 axis (deubiquitination of HIF-1α) to control cancer metastases. The gene discussed is UCHL1; the disease is breast cancer.