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. Gamma-1 is a subunit of laminin-1 (laminin-111 or EHS laminin), laminin-2 (laminin-211 or merosin), laminin-3 (laminin-121 or S-laminin), laminin-4 (laminin-221 or S-merosin), laminin-6 (laminin-311 or K-laminin), laminin-7 (laminin-321 or KS-laminin), laminin-8 (laminin-411), laminin-9 (laminin-421), laminin-10 (laminin-511) and laminin-11 (laminin-521). Found in the basement membranes (major component). The alpha-helical domains I and II are thought to interact with other laminin chains to form a coiled coil structure. Domains VI and IV are globular.