Binding to cells via a high affinity receptor, laminin is thought to mediate the attachment, migration and organization of cells into tissues during embryonic development by interacting with other extracellular matrix components.
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Extracellular space, Extracellular matrix, Basement membrane, Secreted
Major basement membrane component.
Detected in placenta (at protein level) . Detected in fibroblasts and urine (at protein level) ( ). In adult, strong expression in heart, lung, ovary small and large intestines, placenta, liver; weak or no expression in skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, testis, prostate, brain. High expression in fetal lung and kidney. Expression in fetal and newborn tissues is observed in certain mesenchymal cells in tissues such as smooth muscle and dermis.