A pro-carcinogenic bacterial toxin binds claudin-4 to cleave E-cadherin

Nature, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10375-0

CRISPR screening shows that claudin-4 is a receptor for the pro-carcinogenic B. fragilis toxin on colonic epithelial cells, and that this interaction promotes cleavage of E-cadherin, leading to epithelial barrier disruption and inflammation.