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Laminin

(Science: protein) link proteins of basal lamina, consist of an a chain (400 kD) and two B chains (200 kD).

Each subunit contains at least 12 repeats of the egf like domain. The first laminin studied was from mouse EHS cells, but it is now becoming clear that different forms of laminin occur.

in laminin from placenta the a chain is replaced with merosin, in laminin found near the neuromuscular junction the B1 chain is replaced by s laminin (synapse laminin). Laminin induces adhesion and spreading of many cell types and promotes the outgrowth of neurites in culture.