Transaminase involved in tyrosine breakdown (PubMed:24385923, PubMed:31043480). Converts tyrosine to p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (PubMed:31043480). Has no transaminase activity towards phenylalanine (PubMed:31043480). Plays protective role against oxidative stress, metabolizing meta-tyrosine and negatively regulating its accumulation (PubMed:31043480). Plays a role in modulating the daf-2/insulin receptor-like transduction pathway through regulating tyrosine levels (PubMed:24385923). Negatively regulates dauer formation (PubMed:24385923). Plays a role in longevity (PubMed:24385923, PubMed:31043480). 2-oxoglutarate + L-tyrosine = 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate + L-glutamate 2-oxoglutarate + 3-hydroxy-L-phenylalanine = 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate + L-glutamate kcat is 2852 sec(-1) with tyrosine (para-tyrosine) as substrate (PubMed:31043480). kcat is 2520 sec(-1) with meta-tyrosine as substrate (PubMed:31043480). Amino-acid degradation; L-phenylalanine degradation; acetoacetate and fumarate from L-phenylalanine: step 2/6. Homodimer. Expressed in the muscle (PubMed:18227072). Expressed in the hypodermis and intestine (PubMed:18227072, PubMed:24385923). Up-regulated in response to oxidative stress. RNAi-mediated knockdown increases lifespan by 17.8%, and reduces tyrosine aminotransferase activity by 75% thus increasing tyrosine levels (PubMed:24385923, PubMed:31043480). RNAi-mediated knockdown delays reproductive adult development in response to oxidative stress induced by the superoxide paraquat (PubMed:31043480). RNAi-mediated knockdown increases dauer formation in eak-4 mg348, eak-3 mg344, eak-5 mg337, eak-2 mg433, or eak-7 tm3188 mutant backgrounds at 25 degrees Celsius (PubMed:24385923). RNAi-mediated knockdown increases aak-2 phosphorylation, but does not impair energy production in a eak-4 mg348 mutant background (PubMed:24385923). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in a reduced lifespan in an aak-2 gt33 mutant background (PubMed:24385923). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in reduced dauer formation in an eak-4 mg348 and aak-2 gt33 mutant background (PubMed:24385923). RNAi-mediated knockdown extends the lifespan of eak-7 tm3188 mutants (PubMed:24385923). RNAi-mediated knockdown together with fah-1 RNAi rescues the impaired growth and fertility defects in the single fah-1 RNAi mutant (PubMed:18227072). Belongs to the class-I pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family.