Co-expression of laminin and a 67 kDa laminin-binding protein in teratocarcinoma embryoid bodies.

The synthesis of laminin chains is usually correlated to specific functions of laminin during embryo development. In this study we show that the CE44 teratocarcinoma embryoid bodies synthesize B1 and B2 chains of laminin as well as a 67 kDa laminin-binding protein while simultaneously differentiating into parietal endoderm. The intracystic presence of laminin and the 67 kDa cell surface laminin-receptor in teratocarcinoma differentiated cells suggest that the B chains of laminin play an important role in induction and/or mediation of cell differentiation and confirm the importance of laminin A chain in cell polarization and the supramolecular rearrangement of definitive basement membrane.