Laminin-1

Laminin-1 protein is also found in the basal lamina portion of the basement membrane (Hardman, 1992). When antibodies against this protein are introduced into the developing submandibular gland, a cessation of branching is seen. This seems to be due to interrupting the basement membrane at the tips of the branching epithelium. Therefore, laminin-1 may play an important role in forming the basement membrane that is crucial to the final differentiation of the salivary glands (Kadoya, 1995). Without the presence of laminin-1, the basement membrane may not form, causing the loss of many needed morphogenetic factors, so again here is a protein which may have an effect on the overall differentiation of the salivary gland.

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