Thus, strong cytoadhesion and tightly regulated antigenic variation based on mutually exclusive var gene expression are universal characteristics of these parasites and represent an ancient, conserved evolutionary adaptation of the Laverania. However, not all aspects of var gene regulation and cytoadhesion through EMP1 expression have remained unchanged and at least two significant events have helped shape the evolution of the most virulent of the malaria species that infect humans (Fig. 5A). Here, EMP1 is linked to malaria.