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Fig. 7 The expression of CTSL was down-regulated in FD Huh7 cells. a Huh7 cells cultivated in FD medium were harvested at 3-dps and 5-dps and characterized for cathepsin L expression with real-time PCR. Data were collected from at least 3 independent experiments. b The protein levels of cathepsin L, which were examined after cells being cultivated for 5 days, were significantly decreased in those grown in FD medium. The average of nine independent experiments. c Huh7 cells transfected with plasmids encompassing zebrafish cathepsin L promoter region (-2500 to +270) were harvested 3 days after transfection and subjected to promoter activity assay. The average of ten independent experiments. d Cells cultivated in medium containing rapamycin, a mTOR inhibitor, were examined for cathepsin L expression at 5-dps. The presence of rapamycin lowered cathepsin L mRNA levels in control groups, but did not cause further decrease in FD cells. Data were collected from at least 5 independent experiments. CTL, control (cells without FD); FD, folate deficiency; CTSL, cathepsin L. Statistical data are shown in mean ± SEM. * p<0.05, **, p <0.01; ***, p<0.001, ****, p<0.0001