Receptors for laminin on mammalian cells

Early in development, cells produce an extracellular matrix that provides important cues that regulate gene expression, cell division, and morphogenesis. Interactions with the extracellular matrix are mediated by cell-surface receptors providing a transmembrane link between extracellular and intracellular compartments. Laminin, a large, multichain glycoprotein found in basement membranes, is involved in various biological activities, including promotion of cell adhesion, growth, migration, differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and tumor metastases. To date, several classes of binding proteins have been found to interact with laminin, including a high-affinity 67-kDa receptor, galactoside-binding lectins, galactosyltransferase, sulfatides, and integrins. This review will summarize our current understanding of some of these laminin-binding proteins, and where possible, integrate the biochemistry and cell biology of ligand and receptor expression.