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. Involved in the organization of the laminar architecture of the cerebral cortex (By similarity). It is probably required for the integrity of the basement membrane/glia limitans that serves as an anchor point for the endfeet of radial glial cells and as a physical barrier to migrating neurons (By similarity). Radial glial cells play a central role in cerebral cortical development, where they act both as the proliferative unit of the cerebral cortex and a scaffold for neurons migrating toward the pial surface (By similarity). 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. Beta-1 is a subunit of laminin-1 (laminin-111 or EHS laminin), laminin-2 (laminin-211 or merosin), laminin-6 (laminin-311 or K-laminin), laminin-8 (laminin-411), laminin-10 (laminin-511) and laminin-12 (laminin-213) (By similarity). Interacts with ITGB1 (PubMed:34427057). Major component. Widely expressed in the embryo. High levels are detected in the cerebellar basement membrane, at postnatal day 7. Extended N-terminus.