Expression of the Na+–K+–Cl− cotransporter 1 (NKCC1; also known as SLC12A2) has been associated with glioblastoma cell invasion and aggressiveness. The authors found that knockdown or inhibition of NKCC1 in glioma cells resulted in reduced invasion and that this was accompanied by larger cell–matrix focal adhesions and lower cell traction forces. Therefore, NKCC1 might promote cell motility and invasion by regulating cell adhesion dynamics in addition to known roles in controlling cell size through ion transport.