CTSL and uremia: Furthermore, Lecker [18] reported that the mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) LC3, Gabarapl1 and Cathepsin L are upregulated in the skeletal muscle of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and uremia induced by a subtotal nephrectomy, demonstrating autophagy activation in the skeletal muscle of diabetic and uremic rats.