Subcellular distribution and properties of kynurenine transaminase in rat liver.
Kynurenine transaminase activity in rat liver was found in both the mitochondrial and supernatant fractions. The mitochondrial and supernatant fractions contained (a) kynurenine-pyruvate transaminase, which showed a preference for pyruvate as amino acceptor and a pH optimum between 8.0 and 8.5, and (b) kynurenine-alpha-oxoglutarate transaminase, with a preference for alpha-oxoglutarate and a pH optimum between 6.0 and 6.5. Possible roles of these enzymes in tryptophan metabolism in the liver are discussed.