Exhibits apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease activity in vitro (PubMed:25569774). By contrast, another report show that APE2 has no biochemical activity (PubMed:25228464). Unable to catalyze the conversion of 3'-phosphor-alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde (3'-PUA) to 3'-OH (PubMed:25228464, PubMed:25569774). Has no in vitro 3'-phosphatase activity (PubMed:25228464, PubMed:25569774). Redundant with APE1L and at least one functional allele is required for seed viability (PubMed:19172180). Has a strong non-specific affinity to DNA (PubMed:25228464). Probably binds two magnesium or manganese ions per subunit. Expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs. No visible phenotype (PubMed:19172180). Ape2 arp double mutants have no visible phenotype (PubMed:19172180). Ape1l ape2 double mutants are embryo lethal (PubMed:19172180). Belongs to the DNA repair enzymes AP/exoA family.