The invention relates to production of lysine, and provides several isolated polynucleotide molecules useful for the production of L-lysine. One such polynucleotide encodes an aspartate kinase (ask), an aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) and a dihydrodipicolinate reductase. Other polypeptides encode ask, asd, dihydrodipicolinate reductase, and a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (ddh); ask, asd, dihydrodipicolinate reductase, ddh, and an ORF2 polypeptide; and ask, asd, dihydrodipicolinate reductase, ddh, ORF2 and a diaminopimelate decarboxylase. The invention further provides methods of making and using the polynucleotides, and methods to increase the production of L-lysine. The invention further provides use of isolated polynucleotide molecules encoded by genes native to bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium. The invention further provides host cells bearing the isolated polynucleotide molecules of the invention. The invention further provides embodiments in which the host cell is a member of the genus Corynebacterium.