SMAD3 and neoplasm: In addition, immunoblot indicated decreased expression of the Smad3 phosphorylation at Ser-208 decreased expression of, TGF-β target proteins ZYX and SERPINE1, increased cleaved PARP, and increased LC3A/B-II and unprenylated Rap1A expression in the tumor-bearing brain of the simvastatin-treated group (Figure 5D–5E), confirming the ability of a statin to reduce TGF-β activity in vivo.