RNASET2 (ribonuclease T2)

This gene represents the first human member of the Rh/T2/S-glycoprotein family of extracellular ribonucleases. It belongs to the recently defined class of tumor-antagonizing genes, based on its ability to suppress tumor growth in vivo, but not in vitro. It is likely involved in the pathogenesis of several human neoplasias (both solid and haematological) such as ovarian cancer, melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.\ud Mutations in this gene have also been recently described in children affected by a rare congenital neurological defect. Moreover, GWAS studies have recently reported the association of gene variants mapping close to the RNASET2 gene with susceptibilty to a few autoimmune disorders