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
Basement membrane degeneration is mediated by - 
Select and explain. 
A. Metalloproteinases, B. Oxidases, C. Elastases, D. Hydroxylases
A: Metalloproteinases
Answer: A: Metalloproteinases 
Explanation: 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