Disclosed are compounds which are inhibitors of metalloproteases and which are effective in treating conditions characterized by excess activity of these enzymes. In particular, the compounds have a structure according to the following Formula (I): ##STR1##

where R¹, R², R³, n, A, E, X, G, G, M and Z have the meanings described in the specification and the claims, as well as optical isomers, diastereomers and enantiomers of Formula I, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides thereof. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating metalloprotease-related maladies using the compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions.