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. 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. Defects in Lama2 are a cause of murine muscular dystrophy (dy2J).