Structure, Expression and Function of Mouse Laminin

Basement membranes are thin extracellular matrices that separate epithelial and endothelial cells from underlaying stroma (Kefalides, 1973; Timpl and Martin, 1982). At the ultrastructural level, different zones are observed in the basement membrane including an electron dense zone, the lamina densa, and adjacent to it less electron dense zones, the lamina lucida. Basement membranes have diverse functions including forming barriers to the passage of proteins as well as of cells (Kefalides, 1979). They also play important roles in embryogenesis by delineating the developing tissues and by mediating the adhesion, growth, and differentiation of muscle, and peripheral nerve as well as of a variety of epithelial cells and organs.