Molecular function

GO:0103051, GO:0103052, GO:0103053

2-oxoglutarate-dependent DNA demethylase

Catalysis of the reaction: a methylated nucleobase within DNA + 2-oxoglutarate + O2 = a nucleobase within DNA + formaldehyde + succinate + CO2. Catalyzes oxidative demethylation of the DNA base lesions N1- methyladenine, N3-methylcytosine, N1-methylguanine, and N3- methylthymine. Can also act of RNA.

This reaction directly reverses the alkylation on a nucleotide within DNA. Do not confuse with 5-methylcytosine dioxygenase activity ; GO:0070579, which removes the methyl group from position 5 of cytosine in DNA via oxidation of the 5-methylcytosine, followed by removal of the oxidated base by the base excision repair system.