LAMA3: Binding to cells via a high affinity receptor, laminin is thought to mediate the attachment, migration and organization of cells into tissues during embryonic development by interacting with other extracellular matrix components. Defects in LAMA3 are a cause of epidermolysis bullosa junctional Herlitz type (H-JEB); also known as junctional epidermolysis bullosa Herlitz-Pearson type. JEB defines a group of blistering skin diseases characterized by tissue separation which occurs within the dermo-epidermal basement membrane. H-JEB is a severe, infantile and lethal form. Death occurs usually within the first six months of life. Occasionally, children survive to teens. H-JEB is marked by bullous lesions at birth and extensive denudation of skin and mucous membranes that may be hemorrhagic. Defects in LAMA3 are the cause of laryngoonychocutaneous syndrome (LOCS). LOCS is an autosomal recessive epithelial disorder confined to the Punjabi Muslim population. The condition is characterized by cutaneous erosions, nail dystrophy and exuberant vascular granulation tissue in certain epithelia, especially conjunctiva and larynx. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.
Protein type: Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Secreted, signal peptide; Secreted
Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 18q11.2
Cellular Component: laminin-5 complex; laminin-1 complex; extracellular region; basement membrane
Molecular Function: structural molecule activity; receptor binding
Biological Process: regulation of cell adhesion; extracellular matrix disassembly; epidermis development; extracellular matrix organization and biogenesis; hemidesmosome assembly; regulation of embryonic development; cell adhesion; regulation of cell migration
Disease: Epidermolysis Bullosa, Junctional, Non-herlitz Type; Laryngoonychocutaneous Syndrome; Epidermolysis Bullosa, Junctional, Herlitz Type
Show more