Background information
Laminins are essential and abundant structural non-collagenous glyco- proteins localizing to basement membranes. Basement membranes (cell-associated extracellular matrices (ECMs)) are polymers of laminins with stabilizing Type IV collagen networks, Nidogen, and several proteoglycans. Basement membranes are found under epithelial layers, around the endothelium of blood vessels, and surrounding muscle, peripheral nerve, and fat cells. Formation of basement membranes influences cell proliferation, phenotype, migration, gene expression, and tissue architecture. Each laminin is a heterotrimer of a, b, and g chain subunits that undergoes cell-secretion and incorporation into the ECM. Laminins can self-assemble, bind to other matrix macromolecules, and have unique and shared cell interactions mediated by integrins, dystroglycan, and cognate laminin receptors. The human Laminin a-4 gene maps to chromosome 6q21 and is expressed in adult heart, lung, ovary, small and large intestines, liver, and placenta.
