or most normal mammalian cells, survival depends on attachment. By binding to integrins, many extracellular matrix proteins activate survival pathways that prevent detachment-induced apoptosis. But on page 559 Todorovic et al. reveal a matrix molecule that kills instead. This death matrix protein, CCN1, is selective in its carnage. Endothelial cells are known to thrive on CCN1, but the group no...