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. As a ligand for alpha-dystroglycan, it is involved in a number of processes including epithelium branching morphogenesis, down-regulation of apoptotic signals in muscle via the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling, and activation of RAC1 signaling. As a subunit of laminin-1 (also known as laminin-111 or EHS laminin), it is involved in the stimulation of agrin-induced receptor clustering through a MuSK-independent pathway. . This is the function of LAMA1 (laminin subunit alpha 1, ENSG00000101680).