Dissecting the mechanisms by which SK1, IRF1 and IRF7 contribute to transcription of viperin, IFIT1 and CXCL10 requires further experimentation, but it is clear that functional deficits in SK1 that has an impact on IRF induction will have major consequences for the cellular IFN response to infection (Figure 4b). The gene discussed is SPHK1; the disease is infection.