Catalyzes the cleavage of L-kynurenine (L-Kyn) and L-3-hydroxykynurenine (L-3OHKyn) into anthranilic acid (AA) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OHAA), respectively. Has a preference for the L-3-hydroxy form. Also has cysteine-conjugate-beta-lyase activity. H2O + L-kynurenine = anthranilate + H(+) + L-alanine 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine + H2O = 3-hydroxyanthranilate + H(+) + L-alanine Inhibited by o-methoxybenzoylalanine (OMBA). Optimum pH is 8.25 with DL-3-hydroxykynurenine as substrate. Amino-acid degradation; L-kynurenine degradation; L-alanine and anthranilate from L-kynurenine: step 1/1. Cofactor biosynthesis; NAD(+) biosynthesis; quinolinate from L-kynurenine: step 2/3. Homodimer. Expressed in all tissues tested (heart, brain placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas). Highest levels found in placenta, liver and lung. Expressed in all brain regions. Increased levels in several cerebral and systemic inflammatory conditions. The reported mass is given to only three significant figures. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the kynureninase family. It has been reported that this enzyme possesses no measurable activity against L-kynurenine and is subject to inhibition by both L-kynurenine and D-kynurenine at pH 7.9.