This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: General pathology, Subject name: Pathology
[{'content': 'Basement membrane degeneration is mediated by - \nSelect and explain. \nA. Metalloproteinases, B. Oxidases, C. Elastases, D. Hydroxylases', 'role': 'user'}, {'content': 'Answer: A \nExplanation: Extracellular Matrix (ECM) comprises of interstitial matrix and basement membrane. The degradation of collagen and other ECM proteins is achieved by a family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are dependent on zinc ions for their activity. MMPs include interstitial collagenases, which cleave fibrillar collagen (MMP-1, -2 and -3) gelatinases (MMP-2 and 9), which degrade amorphous collagen and fibronectin stromelysins (MMP-3, -10, and -11), which degrade a variety of ECM constituents, including proteoglycans, laminin, fibronectin, and amorphous collagen. ref robbins pathology 9th ed page 105', 'role': 'assistant'}]