English

Noun

1. Any of a class of glycoproteins found in the basement membranes of most animal tissue

Laminin is the major non-collagenous component of the basal lamina, such as those on which cells of an epithelium sit. Basically, laminin is a protein found in the "extracellular matrix", the sheets of protein that form the substrate of all internal organs also called the "basement membrane". It has four arms that can bind to four other molecules. The three shorter arms are particularly good at binding to other laminin molecules, which is what makes it so great at forming sheets. The long arm is capable of binding to cells, which helps anchor the actual organs to the membrane.

The laminin protein is made up of three separate parts, called the A, B1, and B2 chains. That gives it a total of six "ends", which accounts for a lot of its flexibility in connecting up various kinds of molecules. Because of this, scientists who create biomaterials are extremely interested in the whole family of laminins. They are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every animal tissue. Laminins are secreted and incorporated into cell-associated extracellular matrices.

Laminin is vital to making sure overall body structures hold together. Improper production of laminin can cause muscles to form improperly, leading to a form of muscular dystrophy. It can also cause progeria.

Types

Each laminin molecule is a heterotrimer assembled from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-chains.

• There are five forms of alpha-chains: LAMA1, LAMA2, LAMA3, LAMA4, LAMA5

• There are four of beta-chains: LAMB1, LAMB2, LAMB3, LAMB4

• There are three of gamma-chains: LAMC1, LAMC2, LAMC3

Fifteen laminin trimers have been identified.

Networks

Laminins form independent networks and are associated with type IV collagen networks via entactin, and perlecan. They also bind to cell membranes through integrin receptors and other plasma membrane molecules, such as the dystroglycan glycoprotein complex and Lutheran blood group glycoprotein.

Pathology

Dysfunctional structure of one particular laminin, laminin-2, is the cause of one form of congenital muscular dystrophy. Laminin-2 is composed of an α2, a β1 and a γ1 chains. This laminin's distribution includes the brain and muscle fibers. In muscle, it binds to alpha dystroglycan and integrin alpha7-beta1 via the G domain, and via the other end binds to the extracellular matrix.

References

External links

• The Laminin Protein