Laminins.
Författare
Summary, in English
Laminins are cell adhesion molecules that comprise a family of glycoproteins found predominantly in basement membranes, which are the thin sheets of extracellular matrix that underlie epithelial and endothelial cells and surround muscle cells, Schwann cells, and fat cells. Many laminins self-assemble to form networks that remain in close association with cells through interactions with cell surface receptors. Laminins are vital for many physiological functions. They are essential for early embryonic development and organogenesis and have crucial functions in several tissues including muscle, nerve, skin, kidney, lung, and the vasculature. A great wealth of data on laminins is available, and an in-depth description is not attempted here. In this review, I will instead provide a snapshot of laminin structure, tissue distribution, and interactions with other matrix molecules and receptors and briefly describe laminin mutations in mice and humans. Several illuminating and timely reviews are cited that can be consulted for references to original articles and more detailed information concerning laminins.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2010
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
259-268
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Cell and Tissue Research
Volym
339
Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Springer
Ämne
- Cell Biology
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Muscle Biology
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1432-0878