Erythrocyte invasion-neutralising antibodies prevent RH5 from binding to basigin-containing membrane protein complexes.

Basigin is an essential host receptor for invasion of into human erythrocytes, interacting with parasite surface protein PfRH5. PfRH5 is a leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate and a target of growth-inhibitory antibodies. Here, we show that erythrocyte basigin is exclusively found in one of two macromolecular complexes, bound either to plasma membrane Ca-ATPase 1/4 (PMCA1/4) or to monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1).