Similar to the results from Western blots, significant increases in Smad2 phosphorylation, which was visible in the nuclei of cardiomyocytes, and TAK1 phosphorylation, which was located in the cytosolic area with dot-like appearance, were detected only in the control hearts 1 and 2 weeks after TAC procedure (Fig. 6). The gene discussed is SMAD2; the disease is persistent truncus arteriosus.