E.coli Endonuclease VIII is a bifunctional DNA glycosylase with DNA N-glycosylase and AP lyase activities. The N-glycosylase activity releases damaged pyrimidines from double-stranded DNA generating an apurinic (AP) site. The AP lyase activity cleaves the DNA phosphodiester backbone at AP sites via β- and δ-elimination, creating a one nucleotide gap with 5′ and 3′ phosphate termini. Damaged bases recognised and removed by Endonuclease VIII include thymine glycol, uracil glycol, urea, 5,6-dihydroxythymine, 5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin, 5-hydroxy-6-hydrothymine, 5,6-dihydrouracil and alloxan.