### LAMB4 Gene Summary

**Gene Symbol**: LAMB4  
**Function**: The LAMB4 gene encodes a protein that is a structural constituent of the extracellular matrix, particularly involved in the formation of the basement membrane. It plays crucial roles in cell migration, adhesion, and organization during embryonic development by interacting with other components of the extracellular matrix.

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### Additional Information About LAMB4

1. **Associated Genes**:
   - **LAMA1**: Laminin alpha chain, collaborates with LAMB4 in forming laminin structures.
   - **LAMC1**: Laminin gamma chain, another component of the laminin heterotrimer associated with LAMB4.
   - **COL4A1 and COL4A2**: Collagen IV genes that have associations with the extracellular matrix, relevant in basement membrane integrity.
   - **ITGA (Integrin Alpha Chain)** and **ITGB (Integrin Beta Chain)**: These integrins are known to interact with laminins and play a role in cell adhesion.

2. **Aging and Age-Related Diseases**:
   - Alterations in basement membrane composition and integrity, potentially influenced by LAMB4, have been linked to age-related conditions such as:
     - **Diabetic complications**: Changes in stromal components could contribute to vascular complications seen in diabetes.
     - **Neurodegenerative diseases**: Altered extracellular matrices in the brain have been noted in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, where LAMB4 might be implicated.
     - **Cancer**: Tumor progression and metastasis often involve changes in the extracellular matrix and basement membrane dynamics, in which LAMB4 may play a role influencing tumor microenvironment and cell proliferation.

3. **Drug Interactions**:
   - Currently, there are no specific drugs or drug classes that have been definitively linked to direct interaction with the LAMB4 gene or its protein product in available databases. However, targeting integrin pathways might indirectly affect LAMB4 functions through interactions with laminins.

4. **Pathways and Biological Processes**:
   - **Basement Membrane Assembly**: Essential for the formation and maintenance of tissue architecture.
   - **Cell Adhesion**: Important for cell-matrix interactions, which are fundamental in embryonic development and tissue repair processes.
   - **Cell Migration**: Critical during embryogenesis for the correct positioning and function of various cell types.
   - **Wnt Signaling Pathway**: Emerging evidence suggests that extracellular matrix components interact with Wnt signaling, which is essential in cellular processes including proliferation and differentiation.
   - **Response to Wounding**: Contributes to the repair and rebuilding of tissues after injury.

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This overview of the LAMB4 gene captures its essential functions, associations with other genes, and implications for aging and disease, alongside its involvement in significant biological pathways.