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. Laminin is a complex glycoprotein, consisting of three different polypeptide chains (alpha, beta, gamma), which are bound to each other by disulfide bonds into a cross-shaped molecule comprising one long and three short arms with globules at each end. Alpha-2 is a subunit of laminin-2 (laminin-211 or merosin), laminin-4 (laminin-221 or S-merosin) and laminin-12 (laminin-213). Interacts with FBLN1, FBLN2 and NID2. Major component. Placenta, striated muscle, peripheral nerve, cardiac muscle, pancreas, lung, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, skin, testis, meninges, choroid plexus, and some other regions of the brain; not in liver, thymus and bone. The alpha-helical domains I and II are thought to interact with other laminin chains to form a coiled coil structure. Domains VI, IV and G are globular. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.