The ddh gene encoding meso-diaminopimelate (meso-DAP)-dehydrogenase (DDH) in Brevibacterium lactofermentum was isolated by complementation of the Escherichia coli dapD mutation. It was supposed from subcloning experiments and complementation tests that the evidence for DDH activity appeared in about 2.5 kb Xhol fragmented genome. The 2.5 kb Xhol fragment containing the ddh gene was sequenced, and an open reading frame of 960 bp encoding a polypeptide comprising 320 amino acids was found. Computer analysis indicated that the deduced amino acid of the B. lactofermentum ddh gene showed a high homology with that of the Corynebacterium glutamicum ddh gene.