Involved in the methylthioribose (MTR) recycling pathway (PubMed:12022921, PubMed:24837359). Catalyzes the formation of methionine from 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyrate (KMTB) (PubMed:12670965, PubMed:24837359). 4-methylsulfanyl-2-oxobutanoate + L-glutamine = 2-oxoglutaramate + L-methionine kcat is 2.32 sec(-1). Amino-acid biosynthesis; L-methionine biosynthesis via salvage pathway; L-methionine from S-methyl-5-thio-alpha-D-ribose 1-phosphate: step 6/6. Disruption mutant grows more slowly than the wild type strain on methylthioribose (MTR) as the sulfur source. Belongs to the class-I pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family. MtnE subfamily.