Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake partly relies on p21‐activated kinase (PAK)2, but not PAK1, in mouse skeletal muscle

Key points Muscle‐specific genetic ablation of p21‐activated kinase (PAK)2, but not whole‐body PAK1 knockout, impairs glucose tolerance in mice. Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake partly relies on PAK2 in glycolytic extensor digitorum longus muscle By contrast to previous reports, PAK1 is dispensable for insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in mouse muscle. The group I p21‐activated kinase (PAK) isoforms PAK1 and PAK2 are activated in response to insulin in skeletal muscle and PAK1/2 signalling is impaired in insulin‐resistant mouse and human skeletal muscle. Interestingly, PAK1 has been suggested to be required for insulin‐stimulated glucose transporter 4 translocation in mouse skeletal muscle. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the role of PAK1 in insulin‐stimulated muscle glucose uptake. The pharmacological inhibitor of group I PAKs, IPA‐3 partially reduced (–20%) insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in isolated mouse soleus muscle (P