The RNASE2 gene (RNASE2 stands for: Ribonuclease A Family Member 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 14q11.2. The protein encoded by this gene, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), is a non-secretory ribonuclease that belongs to the pancreatic ribonuclease family, a subgroup of the ribonuclease A superfamily. It is a pyrimidine-specific nuclease with a slight preference for U. cytotoxin and helminthotoxin. EDN is one of the four "major proteins" found in the large specific granules of human eosinophilic leukocytes.
EDN is selectively chemotactic for dendritic cells and has a variety of biological activities, including antimicrobial activity against viruses.