Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41854498›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of cell biology2026

OptoTAT reveals microtubule acetylation as a rapid trigger for GEF-H1-mediated cell migration.

Abhijit Deb Roy, Cristian Saez Gonzalez, Milda Stanislauskas, Farid Shahid, Eesha Yadav, Jalil Rezek, Takanari Inoue

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of cell biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Mechanical forces stimulate Golgi export.The Journal of cell biology · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Abhijit Deb RoyDepartment of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-1640-2402
Cristian Saez GonzalezDepartment of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-4846-3680
Milda StanislauskasCenter for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine , Farmington, CT, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-9029-4798
Farid ShahidThe Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0009-0002-2564-1405
Eesha YadavThe Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6290-5222
Jalil RezekThe Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0009-0001-2646-372X
Takanari InoueDepartment of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7957-7624

Funding

BIOCHEMISTRY, CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PROGRAMT32GM007445 · NIGMS · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI GREEN, RACHEL · 1985 to 2021
$24.1M
Decoding dynamic interplay between signaling and membranes in chemotaxis bymolecular actuatorsR35GM149329 · NIGMS · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI Takanari Inoue · 2023 to 2026
$2.8M
The role of acetylated microtubules in cell migrationF31GM153141 · NIGMS · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI SAEZ GONZALEZ, CRISTIAN J. · 2024 to 2025
$99k
American Heart Association 23POST1057352D.C. Women's Board Postdoctoral FellowshipNIGMS NIH HHS F31 GM153141NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM149329NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM007445NIH HHS F31GM153141NIH HHS R35GM149329NIH HHS T32GM007445
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microtubule acetylation is implicated in regulating cell motility, yet its physiological role in directional migration and the underlying molecular mechanisms have remained unclear. This knowledge gap has persisted primarily due to a lack of tools capable of rapidly manipulating microtubule acetylation in actively migrating cells. To overcome this limitation and elucidate the causal relationship between microtubule acetylation and cell migration, we developed a novel optogenetic actuator, optoTAT, which enables precise induction of microtubule acetylation within minutes in live cells. Implementing optoTAT in migration assays, we observed striking and rapid responses at both molecular and cellular levels. First, microtubule acetylation triggers release of the RhoA activator GEF-H1 from sequestration on microtubules. This release subsequently enhances actomyosin contractility and drives focal adhesion maturation. These subcellular processes collectively promote sustained directional migration. Our findings position GEF-H1 as a critical molecular responder to microtubule acetylation, enabling a dynamic crosstalk between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletal networks in the coordination of cellular motility.

Indexed as

Cell MovementMicrotubulesOptogeneticsRho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange FactorsAcetylationActomyosinAnimalsFocal AdhesionsHumansrhoA GTP-Binding ProteinActomyosinARHGEF2 protein, humanrhoA GTP-Binding ProteinRho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors

Identifiers

PMID41854498
PMCPMC13004174

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.