The tumor suppressor RASSF1A is a novel effector of small G protein Rap1A

Rap1A is a small G protein implicated in a spectrum of biological processes such as cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and embryogenesis. The downstream effectors through which Rap1A mediates its diverse effects are largely unknown. Here we show that Rap1A, but not the related small G proteins Rap2 or Ras, binds the tumor suppressor Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) in a manner that is regulated by phosphorylation of RASSF1A. Interaction with Rap1A is shown to influence the effect of RASSF1A on microtubule behavior.

Preliminary studies on phytochemical, pharmacognostical and antimicrobial assay on Drosera burmanni Vahl.

The Medicinal plant Drosera burmanni Vahl. was screened for the preliminary phytochemical test which indicates the presence of secondary metabolites playing essential role in health and medicine. Pharmacognostical florescence analysis, physicochemical standards and antimicrobial activity against microbial strains of human pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans have been used for this study. For the antimicrobial studies Hexane, Chloroform and Ethanol extracts of D. burmanni were used. In the study for antimicrobial activity, Hexane extract showed the maximum zone of inhibition against tested organisms. On the basis of results, it is concluded that all the three extracts possess potentiality to develop new drugs for the treatment of various human ailments

Rhinosporidiosis in Qatar: a case report and literature review

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease characterised by polypoid lesions of the mucus membranes. The disease is endemic in India but very rare in the Middle East. We report the clinical presentation, management, and histopathology of the first case of rhinosporidiosis in Qatar and review the literature