RNA demethylase ALKBH5 is a ~44 kDa protein. Dioxygenase that specifically demethylates N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA, the most prevalent internal modification of messenger RNA (mRNA) in higher eukaryotes. Demethylates RNA by oxidative demethylation, which requires molecular oxygen, alpha-ketoglutarate and iron. Demethylation of m6A mRNA affects mRNA processing, translation and export. Can also demethylate N(6)-methyladenosine in single-stranded DNA (in vitro). Required for the late meiotic and haploid phases of spermatogenesis by mediating m6A demethylation in spermatocytes and round spermatids: m6A demethylation of target transcripts is required for correct splicing and the production of longer 3'-UTR mRNAs in male germ cells. 2. Aik, W. et al. (2014) Nucleic acids research 42, 4741-54. PMID: 244891193. Feng, C. et al. (2014) The Journal of biological chemistry 289, 11571-11583. PMID: 246161054. Xu, C. et al. (2014) The Journal of biological chemistry 289, 17299-311. PMID: 247781785. Yu, F. et al. (2021) Nucleic acids research 49, 5779-5797. PMID: 340485726. Cieśla, M. et al. (2023) Molecular cell 83, 1165-1179.e11. PMID: 369443327. Yu, F. et al. (2023) Molecular cell 83, 2003-2019.e6. PMID: 372574518. Zhang, XL. et al. (2023) Nature communications 14, 3815. PMID: 373696799. Sun, H-Y. et al. (2025) Journal of virology 99, e0050725. PMID: 40793791 | 
