Schematic representation of a representative PfEMP1 and VAR2CSA. The arrangements of various Duffy binding like (DBL) domains, and the cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDR) domains, and the domain-interconnecting segments (black) are indicated. All PfEMP1s are transmembrane proteins with ATS segments are cytoplasmic, and the remainder of the polypeptide portions are extracellular. Abbreviations: NTS, N-terminal segment; C2, a short domain that follows DBL-2β; TMS, transmembrane segment; ATS, acidic terminal segment; ID, interconnecting domain.