At the minus end, lesions in proteins that connect microtubules to the microtubule organizing center (in particular those affecting the Nesprin‐1 and Nesprin‐2 isoforms encoded by SYNE1 and SYNE2 (reviewed by Gundersen & Worman, 2013) contribute to formation of solid tumors in which tumor development requires incorrect polarity decisions [e.g., squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (Stransky et al, 2011)]. The gene discussed is SYNE1; the disease is squamous cell carcinoma.