The transcription factor HIF-1α is essential for a cell’s response to low oxygen conditions. Carbonaro et al. demonstrate that production of HIF-1α protein is regulated by dynamic microtubules and that microtubule-targeting drugs shift HIF-1α mRNA into cytoplasmic P-bodies, where its translation is repressed by miRNAs. This biosights episode presents the paper by Carbonaro et al. from the January 10, 2011, issue of The Journal of Cell Biology, and includes an interview with authors Marisa Carbonaro and Paraskevi Giannakakou (Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY). Produced by Caitlin Sedwick and Ben Short.