ALKBH2 and ALKBH3 share the ability of E.coli AlkB to directly reverse nucleic acid damage in vitro (Falnes et al, 2002; Trewick et al, 2002), and we reported in a recent study that ALKBH8 has important roles in the survival and progression of human urothelial carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo (Shimada et al, 2009). The gene discussed is ALKBH8; the disease is urothelial carcinoma.