Catalyzes the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent transamination of both 3-hydroxykynurenine and L-kynurenine to xanthurenic acid and kynurenic acid, respectively, preferentially using the alpha-ketoacid pyruvate, glyoxylate or oxaloacetate as the amino group acceptor (PubMed:11880382, PubMed:12220660). The affinity and catalytic efficiency for 3-hydroxykynurenine is higher than for L-kynurenine (PubMed:12220660). Involved in the detoxification of cytotoxic metabolite 3-hydroxykynurenine generated by the hydroxylation of L-kynurenine, an intermediate in the tryptophan catabolism pathway (PubMed:11880382, PubMed:12220660). Also catalyzes, although with a lesser efficiency, the transamination of alanine with glyoxylate as an amino group acceptor (PubMed:11880382). May play a role in the detoxification of glyoxylate, a toxic plant metabolite from the diet (Probable). glyoxylate + L-alanine = glycine + pyruvate glyoxylate + L-kynurenine = glycine + H2O + kynurenate 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine + glyoxylate = glycine + H2O + xanthurenate 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine + pyruvate = H2O + L-alanine + xanthurenate L-kynurenine + pyruvate = H2O + kynurenate + L-alanine kcat is 2424 min(-1) for 3-hydroxykynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius and pH 7 (PubMed:11880382). kcat is 1640 min(-1) for L-alanine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7.0 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:11880382). kcat is 1200 min(-1) for alanine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7.0 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:12220660). kcat is 1664 min(-1) for L,D-alanine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7.0 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:11880382). kcat is 960 min(-1) for glyoxylate (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7.0 and with alanine as cosubstrate) (PubMed:12220660). kcat is 960 min(-1) for L-kynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius and pH 7.0) (PubMed:11880382). kcat is 720 min(-1) for L,D-kynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius and pH 7.0) (PubMed:11880382). Optimum pH is 9 with 3-hydroxykynurenine and pyruvate, or L-alanine and glyoxylate as substrates at 50 degrees Celsius. Optimum temperature is 55 degrees Celsius with 3-hydroxykynurenine and pyruvate at pH 7 (PubMed:11880382, PubMed:12220660). Optimum temperature is 60 degrees Celsius with L-alanine and glyoxylate at pH 7 (PubMed:11880382, PubMed:12220660). Amino-acid degradation; L-kynurenine degradation; kynurenate from L-kynurenine: step 1/2. Homodimer (By similarity). May form homotetramer (PubMed:12220660). Expressed in developing ovaries and larvae (PubMed:11880382). Expression increases from 1- to 4-day-old larvae, decreases in 5- and 6-day-old larvae and newly formed pupae, and becomes undetectable in 12 h pupae (PubMed:11880382). Belongs to the class-V pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family.