ABSTRACT
Laminins are a group of glycoproteins that provide a crucial component of the structural framework of basement membranes in nearly all mammalian tissues. Each laminin is a heterotrimer composed of α, β, and γ chain subunits, secreted and integrated into cell-associated extracellular matrix. Laminins has the ability to self-assemble, interact with other matrix macromolecules, and engage in distinct and common cellular interactions facilitated by integrins, dystroglycan, and other receptors. Laminins have a crucial role in cell differentiation, morphology, motility, preservation of tissue phenotypes, and enhancement of tissue viability through these interactions. Recent advancements in the identification of genetic alterations across humans, mice, nematodes, and flies have elucidated the developmental functions of several laminin subunits in distinct cell types, influencing differentiation from blastocyst formation to the post-natal stage. These genetic anomalies have questioned some prior notions regarding basement membranes and shown the diversity and intricacy of laminin activities, while also establishing the biological foundation of certain human disorders.