enzymes catalyzing the oxidative deamination of amino acids to the corresponding oxo (keto) acids; two relatively nonspecific varieties exist, L and D, for which L-amino acids and D-amino acids are the respective substrates; the products include NH3 and a reduced hydrogen acceptor (NADH in the L case); amino acid dehydrogenases of greater specificity exist, (e.g., glycine dehydrogenase). Cf. amino acid oxidases.