Basigin variant 2 (BSG var2, also termed BSG, CD147 or EMMPRIN; Fig 1A) is the most prevalent isoform and serves as a receptor for integrins, cyclophilins, and for surface proteins of infective agents, such as the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum [21] and common viruses including the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [22] and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) [23]. Here, BSG is linked to malaria.