Abstract: The present invention provides is directed to a method of producing an amino acid, including: (a) providing a bacterial cell including an exogenous nucleic acid molecule or a plurality thereof encoding metX and metY; and culturing the bacterial cell from step (a) such that metX and metY encoded by an exogenous nucleic acid molecule are expressed, bacterial cell including: (i) an exogenous nucleic acid molecule or a plurality thereof, encoding homoserine O-acetyltransferase (metX) and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase (metY). Further provided are a composition comprising the bacterial cell, and a method for producing amino acids.