In an optimized sorbitol/yeast extract/mineral salt medium up to 12 U/l CMP-N-acetyl-neuraminic-acid (Neu5Ac) synthetase was produced by Escherichia coli K-235 in shake-flask culture. A colony mutant of this strain, E. coli K-235/CS1, was isolated with improved enzyme formation : in shake flasks with a yield of up to 20.8 U/l and 54 mU/mg protein in the cell extract. With this strain 26500 U CMP-Neu5Ac synthetase was produced with a high specific activity (0.128 U/mg) by fed-batch fermentation on 230-1 scale. On a 10-1 scale the enzyme yield was 191 U/1 culture medium. The enzyme was partially purified by precipitation with polyethyleneglycol resulting in a three- to fourfold enrichment and a recovery rate of more than 80%; most of the CTP hydrolysing enzymes were removed. The native synthetase was deactivated completely by incubation at 45 degrees C for 10 min, but could be stabilized remarkably by glycerol and different salts. The enzyme was used for the preparative synthesis of CMP-Neu5Ac with a conversion yield of 87% based on CTP.