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Updated: May 17, 2026
06:56
Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells
Published on: September 28, 2020
Functional diversity of laminins
Anna Domogatskaya1, Sergey Rodin, Karl Tryggvason
1Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. anna.domogatskaya@ki.se
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|October 13, 2012
Summary
Laminins are crucial basement membrane proteins influencing cell behavior. This review explores their evolution, diversity, and functions, highlighting their roles in cell biology and potential biotechnological applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Laminins are essential multidomain trimeric proteins in the extracellular matrix.
- They regulate crucial cell behaviors like adhesion, differentiation, and migration.
- Higher organisms exhibit at least 16 laminin isoforms with specific cell/tissue functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution and molecular complexity of laminins.
- To explore the diversity and functional aspects of various laminin isoforms.
- To discuss the potential applications of laminins in research and biotechnology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review encompassing in vitro studies, gene manipulation in animals, and human disease data.
- Analysis of laminin-mediated signaling pathways via membrane receptors.
- Synthesis of knowledge from cell culture, animal models, and clinical studies.
Main Results:
- Laminins have evolved significantly, with increasing isoform diversity in higher organisms.
- Specific laminin isoforms exhibit distinct cell and tissue-specific functions.
- Challenges in isolating pure laminin isoforms have limited understanding of many functions.
Conclusions:
- Laminins play diverse and critical roles in tissue structure and cell function.
- Further research into specific laminin isoforms is needed to fully understand their biological significance.
- Laminins hold promise for applications in cell biology research and biotechnology.
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