The function of ENSG00000171097 (KYAT1, kynurenine aminotransferase 1) is as follows. Catalyzes the irreversible transamination of the L-tryptophan metabolite L-kynurenine to form kynurenic acid (KA), an intermediate in the tryptophan catabolic pathway which is also a broad spectrum antagonist of the three ionotropic excitatory amino acid receptors among others (PubMed:19338303, PubMed:28097769). Also metabolizes the cysteine conjugates of certain halogenated alkenes and alkanes to form reactive metabolites (PubMed:7883047). Catalyzes the beta-elimination of S-conjugates and Se-conjugates of L-(seleno)cysteine, resulting in the cleavage of the C-S or C-Se bond (PubMed:7883047). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:19338303, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28097769, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7883047}.