Catalyzes the reversible transamination between alanine and 2-oxoglutarate to form pyruvate and glutamate. Participates in cellular nitrogen metabolism and also in liver gluconeogenesis starting with precursors transported from skeletal muscles (By similarity). 2-oxoglutarate + L-alanine = L-glutamate + pyruvate Amino-acid degradation; L-alanine degradation via transaminase pathway; pyruvate from L-alanine: step 1/1. Homodimer. Liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscles. Expressed at moderate levels in the adipose tissue. By glucocorticoids. Belongs to the class-I pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family. Alanine aminotransferase subfamily. Alanine transaminase entry