Figure 5.

In vitro, CTSB downregulation activates ERK1/2 phosphorylation in mouse GCs. GCs transfected with siCTSB and siNC were harvested 48-h post-transfection for protein extracts. The level of total AKT/ERK 1/2 (A,B) and phosphorylated AKT/ERK 1/2 (C,D) proteins was quantified by Western blotting against endogenous control GAPDH. The data from three independent experiments were presented as means ± SEM, ** p < 0.01. siCTSB, cathepsin B siRNA; GCs, granulosa cells. siNC, negative control siRNA.