Subcellular distribution and properties of rat liver kynurenine transaminase

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-ketoglutarate transaminase with a preference for alpha-ketoglutarate and a pH optimum between 6.0 and 6.5.