NUDT5 is a member of the nudix hydrolase family which eliminate toxic nucleotide derivatives from the cell. NUDT5 hydrolyzes ADP-ribose and ADP-mannose in the presence of magnesium, and also hydrolyzes other nucleotide sugars with low activity such as ADP-glucose and diadenosine diphosphate. As a nudix hydrolase, NUDT5 contains a central nudix motif and functions to eliminate toxic nucleotide metabolites from the cell while maintaining the levels of signaling nucleotides.