This gene encodes one of the alpha 1 subunits of laminin. The laminins are a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins that have a heterotrimeric structure consisting of an alpha, beta and gamma chain. These proteins make up a major component of the basement membrane and have been implicated in a wide variety of biological processes including cell adhesion, differentiation, migration, signaling, neurite outgrowth and metastasis. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2014].