Subcellular distribution and some physicochemical properties of alanine aminotransferase in striated muscles of the crayfish, trout, carp, frog, pigeon and rabbit were studied. It was established that: (1) Alanine aminotransferase activity in all mentioned animals occurred almost entirely in the cytosolic fraction of the muscles. Total activity and activity per mg protein were highest in crayfish and pigeon muscles and lowest in carp and trout muscles. (2) The pH optimum for the muscles of homoiotherms and poikilotherms ranged from 7.5 to 8, Km values for L-alanine were of the order 10(-3)--10(-2) M and those for alpha-ketoglutarate 10(-4) M. (3) A 10 degree C temperature increase of the incubation medium was accompanied by a 70--90% increase in activity. (4) The higher the alanine aminotransferase activity of the muscles, the relatively higher their alanine production during electrical stimulation. (5) From the above results it is concluded that alanine aminotransferase in striated muscles regulates the rate of glycolysis and energy production under conditions of anaerobiosis through the formation of alanine.