LAMC1
Description
The LAMC1 (laminin subunit gamma 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
Laminin subunit gamma-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LAMC1 gene. Laminins, a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins, are the major noncollagenous constituent of basement membranes. They have been implicated in a wide variety of biological processes including cell adhesion, differentiation, migration, signaling, neurite outgrowth and metastasis. Laminins are composed of 3 non identical chains: laminin alpha, beta and gamma (formerly A, B1, and B2, respectively) and they form a cruciform structure consisting of 3 short arms, each formed by a different chain, and a long arm composed of all 3 chains. Each laminin chain is a multidomain protein encoded by a distinct gene. Several isoforms of each chain have been described. Different alpha, beta and gamma chain isomers combine to give rise to different heterotrimeric laminin isoforms which are designated by Arabic numerals in the order of their discovery, i.e. alpha1beta1gamma1 heterotrimer is laminin 1. The biological functions of the different chains and trimer molecules are largely unknown, but some of the chains have been shown to differ with respect to their tissue distribution, presumably reflecting diverse functions in vivo. This gene encodes the gamma chain isoform laminin, gamma 1.
Laminin, a complex glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in embryonic development by mediating the attachment, migration, and organization of cells into tissues. It binds to cells through a high-affinity receptor and interacts with other extracellular matrix components.
LAMC1 is also known as LAMB2.
