| Modification Notes |
Ape2 (Apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease 2), also known as APEX nuclease 2 (APEXL2), AP endonuclease XTH2 or DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase 2, is a member of the AP/exoA family of DNA repair enzymes. Ape2 is ubiquitously expressed and localizes to the nucleus and mitochondria. It is one of the two class II AP endonucleases expressed in mammals (along with Ref-1 (Ape1)). However Ape2 exhibits limited AP-endonuclease activity, and instead primarily functions as a 3’-5’ exonuclease and a 3’-phosphodiesterase. Ape2 associates with PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and may play a role in base excision repair (BER), eliminating damaged bases in genomic DNA. Growth retardation and G2/M-phase arrest, exhibited by Ape2-null mice, suggest that Ape2 is also a key player in the proper progression of the cell cycle. |