Indeed, Miao et al.18 demonstrated an alternative function of EphA2, in which ligand-independent Akt phosphorylation of EphA2 at Ser-897 promotes growth factor-induced cell polarization, lamellipodium protrusion and cell migration, and is correlated with the tumour grade of human astrocytoma. The gene discussed is EPHA2; the disease is astrocytoma (excluding glioblastoma).