Johns Hopkins researchers discover how gut bacterium drives colon cancer

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have discovered the mechanism by which a common gut bacterium triggers colorectal cancer, ScienceDaily reported. The research team identified how a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis attaches to the intestinal lining, resolving a mystery that researchers have worked on for nearly two decades. [1]

According to ScienceDaily, researchers have known for almost 20 years that Bacteroides fragilis generates a toxin that damages the protective lining of the colon. The toxin triggers chronic inflammation and promotes the formation of tumors. Until this discovery, scientists could not explain the initial step of how the toxin binds to intestinal tissue. [1]

As HEROIC BREAKING NEWS reported earlier, researchers have also recently uncovered cellular mechanisms for other common medical conditions, including how statin medications interact with muscle cell proteins to cause muscle pain and weakness. [3]