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.