S1P1 bridges mechanotransduction and angiogenesis during vascular development

Mechanisms of stabilization of the vascular plexus and the role of mechanotransduction in this process are not well understood. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Jung et al. (2012) and Gaengel et al. (2012) describe the ligand-sensitive and mechanosensitive functions of an important vascular G protein-coupled receptor, S1P1.