USP9X has a complex role in cancer, with both pro- and anti-tumourigenic functions and this may be related to the fact that it not only regulates Hippo signalling, but also other pathways such as TGF-β, Wnt and JAK-STAT, both in mammals59,66–70, as well as in Drosophila35. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is cancer.