Abstract: The present invention provides: a protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity or a protein for dipeptide synthesis; DNA encoding the protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity or the protein for dipeptide synthesis; a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA; a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA; a process for producing the protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity; an enzymatic process for producing a dipeptide using the protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity or the protein for dipeptide synthesis; and a process for producing a dipeptide using, as an enzyme source, a culture of a microorganism or a transformant having the ability to produce the protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity or the protein for dipeptide synthesis, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a dipeptide which comprises: allowing an enzyme source and one or more kinds of substances selected from the group consisting of amino acid amides, amino acid esters and amino acids to be present in an aqueous medium, said enzyme source being a culture of a microorganism having the ability to produce a dipeptide or a treated matter of the culture, and having been subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of 41 to 65° C. for 30 seconds to one hour so as to produce and accumulate the dipeptide in the aqueous medium; and recovering the dipeptide from the aqueous medium.