DNA and recombinant DNA that encode a peptide-forming enzyme, a method for
producing a peptide-forming enzyme, and a method for producing a
dipeptide are disclosed. A method for producing a dipeptide includes
producing a dipeptide from a carboxy component and an amine component by
using a culture of a microbe belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium and
having the ability to form the dipeptide from the carboxy component and
the amine component, a microbial cell separated from the culture, treated
microbial cell product of the microbe or a peptide-forming enzyme derived
from the microbe.