Transcriptional dysregulation is central to many diseases including cancer. Mutation or deregulated expression of proteins involved in transcriptional machinery leads to aberrant gene expression that disturbs intricate cellular processes of division and differentiation. The subunits of the mediator complex are master regulators of stimuli‐derived transcription and are essential for transcription by RNA polymerase II. MED12 is a part of the CDK8 kinase module of the mediator complex and is essential for kinase assembly and function. Other than its function in activation of the kinase activity of CDK8 mediator, it also brings about transcription repression or activation, in response to several signalling pathways, a function that is independent of its role as a part of kinase assembly. Accumulating evidence suggests that MED12 controls complex transcription programs that are defining in cell fate determination, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. Mutations or differential expression of MED12 manifest in several human disorders and diseases. For instance, MED12 mutations are the gold standard for the diagnosis of several X‐linked intellectual disability syndromes. Further, certain MED12 mutations are categorised as driver mutations in carcinogenesis as well. This is a timely review that provides for the first time a wholesome view on the critical roles and pathways regulated by MED12, its interactions along with the implications of MED12 alterations/mutations in various cancers and nonneoplastic disorders. Based on the preclinical studies, MED12 indeed emerges as an attractive novel therapeutic target for various diseases and intellectual disorders.

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Biotic and abiotic stresses exert a considerable influence on the growth and physiology of plants. Water stress is one of the most important abiotic stress factors. The study was carried out to elucidate the effect of drought stress on growth, physiology and antioxidant enzyme activity of Cassia occidentalis experiencing four water regimes with soil relative water content ranging from 65% to 12%. Plants were grown in pots and treated with three irrigation levels (100ml, 200ml and 300ml).The experiment was laid out in complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Data on growth, physiological parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity were recorded and analyzed statistically. Physiological parameters like leaf area index, biomass accumulation, relative water content and membrane stability index decreased significantly with decrease in water level, but mild level of water treatment enhanced the growth. The plant exhibited an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity under stressed condition which proves its tolerance against drought. Thus it can be concluded that Cassia occidentalis plant is able to tolerate a limited water levels by enhancing its antioxidant defense but excessive drought markedly affected the enzyme activity and so depleted the plant growth.

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