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 glyoxylate as the amino group acceptor (PubMed:16262702). Although glyoxylate is the preferred amino group acceptor, transamination of 3-hydroxykynurenine also works with pyruvate as the amino acceptor in vitro (PubMed:16262702). Involved in the detoxification of cytotoxic metabolite 3-hydroxykynurenine generated by the hydroxylation of L-kynurenine, an intermediate in the tryptophan catabolism pathway (PubMed:16262702). The Plasmodium parasite uses xanthurenic acid produced in the midgut to activate its gametocytes ingested during a blood meal (Probable). Also catalyzes, although with a lesser efficiency, the transamination of alanine with glyoxylate as an amino group acceptor (By similarity). May play a role in the detoxification of glyoxylate, a toxic plant metabolite from the diet (By similarity). glyoxylate + L-kynurenine = glycine + H2O + kynurenate 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine + glyoxylate = glycine + H2O + xanthurenate 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine + pyruvate = H2O + L-alanine + xanthurenate glyoxylate + L-alanine = glycine + pyruvate kcat is 988.5 min(-1) for D,L-3-hydroxykynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:16262702). kcat is 1077.2 min(-1) for D,L-kynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:16262702). kcat is 611.5 min(-1) for L-kynurenine (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7 and with glyoxylate as cosubstrate) (PubMed:16262702). kcat is 2264.8 min(-1) for glyoxylate (at 50 degrees Celsius, pH 7 and with D,L-3-hydroxykynurenine as cosubstrate) (PubMed:16262702). Optimum pH is 7.8. Optimum temperature is 60 degrees Celsius (PubMed:16262702). At physiological temperatures (30 degrees Celsius), retains 60-65% of its activity (PubMed:16262702). Amino-acid degradation; L-kynurenine degradation; kynurenate from L-kynurenine: step 1/2. Homodimer. Expressed in gut and ovaries. Expressed throughout embryonic and larval stages and in both adult males and females (PubMed:16262702). Expression is very low during the pupal stage (PubMed:16262702). Belongs to the class-V pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family.