The xylose reductase (XR) gene (xyl1) from Candida shehatae was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified as a His(6)-tagged fusion protein. The recombinant XR had K-m values for NADH than NADPH of 150 mu M and 20 mu M, respectively. The optimal reaction was at pH 6.5 and 35 degrees C. The enzyme was specific for D-xylese.