Kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase

In enzymology, a kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * L-kynurenine + 2-oxoglutarate $$\rightleftharpoons$$ 4-(2-aminophenyl)-2,4-dioxobutanoate + L-glutamate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are L-kynurenine and 2-oxoglutarate, whereas its two products are 4-(2-aminophenyl)-2,4-dioxobutanoate and L-glutamate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically the transaminases, which transfer nitrogenous groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-kynurenine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase. Other names in common use include kynurenine transaminase (cyclizing), kynurenine 2-oxoglutarate transaminase, kynurenine aminotransferase, and L-kynurenine aminotransferase. This enzyme participates in tryptophan metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, 3 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , and.