The dystroglycan complex is involved in a number of processes including laminin and basement membrane assembly, sarcolemmal stability, cell survival, peripheral nerve myelination, nodal structure, cell migration, and epithelial polarization.; [Alpha-dystroglycan]: Extracellular peripheral glycoprotein that acts as a receptor for extracellular matrix proteins containing laminin-G domains. Receptor for laminin-2 (LAMA2) and agrin in peripheral nerve Schwann cells. Also acts as a receptor for laminin LAMA5 (By similarity). ; [Beta-dystroglycan]: Transmembrane protein that plays important roles in connecting the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton. Acts as a cell adhesion receptor in both muscle and non-muscle tissues. Receptor for both DMD and UTRN and, through these interactions, scaffolds axin to the cytoskeleton. Also functions in cell adhesion-mediated signaling and implicated in cell polarity.; [Alpha-dystroglycan]: (Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for lassa virus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein and class C new-world arenaviruses (PubMed:16254364, PubMed:17360738, PubMed:19324387). Acts as a Schwann cell receptor for Mycobacterium leprae, the causative organism of leprosy, but only in the presence of the G-domain of LAMA2 (PubMed:9851927).
