Akt2 regulates Rac1 activity in the insulin-dependent signaling pathway leading to GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle cells

• The role of Akt in the activation of Rac1 in insulin signaling examined in myocytes
• Insulin-induced Rac1 activation was sensitive to the effect of an Akt inhibitor.
• Activated PI3K-induced GLUT4 translocation was suppressed by Rac1 knockdown.
• Activated Rac1-induced GLUT4 translocation was not suppressed by Akt2 knockdown.
• Insulin-induced Rac1 activation was suppressed by Akt2 knockdown.

The small GTPase Rac1 plays a pivotal role in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, which is mediated by GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. However, regulatory mechanisms for Rac1 and its role in the signaling pathway composed of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the serine/threonine kinase Akt remain obscure. Here, we investigate the role of Akt in the regulation of Rac1 in myocytes. Insulin-induced, but not constitutively activated Rac1-induced, GLUT4 translocation was suppressed by Akt inhibitor IV. Insulin-induced Rac1 activation, on the other hand, was completely inhibited by this inhibitor. Constitutively activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase induced Rac1 activation and GLUT4 translocation. This GLUT4 translocation was almost completely suppressed by Rac1 knockdown. Furthermore, constitutively activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase-induced, but not constitutively activated Rac1-induced, GLUT4 translocation was suppressed by Akt2 knockdown. Finally, insulin-induced Rac1 activation was indeed inhibited by Akt2 knockdown. Together, these results reveal a novel regulatory mechanism involving Akt2 for insulin-dependent Rac1 activation.