Catalyzes the decarboxylative condensation of pimeloyl-[acyl-carrier protein] and L-alanine to produce 8-amino-7-oxononanoate (AON), [acyl-carrier protein], and carbon dioxide (PubMed:16299174, PubMed:21730067). Required for the biosynthesis of D-biotin that prevents light-mediated cell death and modulates defense gene expression, probably by avoiding hydrogen peroxide H(2)O(2) accumulation (PubMed:22126457). 6-carboxyhexanoyl-[ACP] + H(+) + L-alanine = (8S)-8-amino-7-oxononanoate + CO2 + holo-[ACP] kcat is 0.1 sec(-1) with pimeloyl-CoA as substrate. kcat is 0.11 sec(-1) with L-alanine as substrate. Cofactor biosynthesis; biotin biosynthesis; 8-amino-7-oxononanoate from pimeloyl-CoA: step 1/1. Monomer. The cytosolic localization observed in PubMed:16299174 is probably due to the lack of PTS1 domain at the C-terminus of the reporter gene construct. The C-terminus PTS1 domain (474-476) is required for biotin biosynthesis activity and peroxisomal subcellular localization. Light-dependent spontaneous cell death due to the absence of D-biotin. Strong accumulation of hydrogen peroxide H(2)O(2) and constitutive up-regulation of reactive oxygen species- (ROS)-responsive and defense genes. Reduction of both chloroplastic and nuclear biotinylated proteins. Accumulation of conjugated salicylic acid (SA). Belongs to the class-II pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family. BioF subfamily.