LAMA5

LAMA5 Full Name

laminin, alpha 5

LAMA5 Introduction

Laminin Subunit Alpha-5 (LAMA5) is a crucial component of the laminin family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins. It is one of the five alpha chains that combine with beta and gamma chains to form trimeric laminin isoforms, most notably as part of laminin-511 (α5β1γ1) and laminin-521 (α5β2γ1). These isoforms are fundamental architectural elements of basement membranes, the thin, sheet-like structures that underlie epithelial and endothelial cell layers. The LAMA5 chain contains specific functional domains that mediate interactions with cell surface receptors and other matrix components, playing a non-redundant role in organizing the basement membrane scaffold during development and in adult tissues.

Figure 1. Proteolytic processing of LAMA5 by MMP1 promotes endothelial cell angiogenesis.(Source: Gopal, S. K,2016)

Physiological Functions in Development and Homeostasis
LAMA5 is essential for embryonic development and organogenesis. It is widely expressed in the basement membranes of developing blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and skin. Genetically engineered mice lacking LAMA5 die during embryogenesis due to severe defects in placental and extraembryonic tissue development, highlighting its critical role. In adults, LAMA5-containing laminins are vital for maintaining tissue integrity, regulating cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. They provide key signals for endothelial and epithelial cells, thereby supporting vascular stability, kidney filtration, and epidermal-dermal cohesion.

Clinical and Therapeutic Potential
Due to its central role in basement membrane biology and disease, LAMA5 holds significant translational promise. It serves as a potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for certain kidney and vascular disorders. In regenerative medicine, LAMA5-containing laminins (particularly laminin-511) are superior substrates for culturing and expanding delicate stem cells, such as human pluripotent stem cells and corneal epithelial cells, improving their survival and functionality. Furthermore, targeting the LAMA5-integrin axis or modulating its expression is being explored as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit pathological angiogenesis in cancer or to stabilize basement membranes in genetic and chronic diseases.

Alternate Names for LAMA5

LAMA5; laminin, alpha 5; laminin subunit alpha-5; laminin alpha-5 chain; laminin-10 subunit alpha; laminin-11 subunit alpha; laminin-15 subunit alpha;

• 1.Gopal, S. K., Greening, D. W., Zhu, H. J., Simpson, R. J., & Mathias, R. A. Transformed MDCK cells secrete elevated MMP1 that generates LAMA5 fragments promoting endothelial cell angiogenesis. Scientific reports, 2016, 6(1): 28321.