Bsg, also known as basigin and CD147, is a multifunctional protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is involved in cancer cell survival, mainly by regulating lactate transport via interaction with monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) like MCT1. Bsg is also thought to play a role in energy metabolism [2,3].

In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), Bsg and MCT1 are overexpressed in most AML cell lines. Soluble Bsg is increased in AML patients compared to healthy controls, and high levels are associated with worse overall survival, higher bone marrow blast percentage, and higher white blood cell count. Bsg SNPs rs4919859 and rs4682 are associated with overall survival of AML patients [2]. In multiple myeloma (MM), serum soluble CD147 (sCD147) level is higher in MM patients, especially in those with more advanced disease, and patients with high sCD147 have worse progression-free survival [3]. In lung adenocarcinoma, Bsg mRNA and protein are significantly over-expressed. High Bsg expression is related to advanced progression and poor prognosis as it can enhance cell viability and proliferation and weaken apoptosis [4]. Also, human oocytes express Bsg, suggesting they may possess the means for SARS-CoV-2 entrance and infection [1].

In conclusion, Bsg is a significant gene with multifunctional roles in various biological processes and disease conditions. Its overexpression in cancers like AML, MM, and lung adenocarcinoma is associated with poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. The discovery of Bsg expression in human oocytes also raises questions about SARS-CoV-2 infection of oocytes [1,2,3,4].

References:

1. Virant-Klun, Irma, Strle, Franc. 2021. Human Oocytes Express Both ACE2 and BSG Genes and Corresponding Proteins: Is SARS-CoV-2 Infection Possible? In Stem cell reviews and reports, 17, 278-284. doi:10.1007/s12015-020-10101-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33403489/

2. Łacina, Piotr, Butrym, Aleksandra, Turlej, Eliza, Mazur, Grzegorz, Bogunia-Kubik, Katarzyna. 2022. BSG (CD147) Serum Level and Genetic Variants Are Associated with Overall Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. In Journal of clinical medicine, 11, . doi:10.3390/jcm11020332. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35054026/

3. Łacina, Piotr, Butrym, Aleksandra, Frontkiewicz, Diana, Mazur, Grzegorz, Bogunia-Kubik, Katarzyna. 2022. Soluble CD147 (BSG) as a Prognostic Marker in Multiple Myeloma. In Current issues in molecular biology, 44, 350-359. doi:10.3390/cimb44010026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35723405/

4. Huang, Wen-Ting, Yang, Xia, He, Rong-Quan, Mo, Wei-Jia, Chen, Gang. 2019. Overexpressed BSG related to the progression of lung adenocarcinoma with high-throughput data-mining, immunohistochemistry, in vitro validation and in silico investigation. In American journal of translational research, 11, 4835-4850. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31497203/