The structure of gal/lac operon of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis ATCC7962 was partially characterized and the gene (galM) encoding galactose mutarotase was cloned together with the order; galA-galM-galK-galT. The galM was found to be 1,027 bp in length and encoded the protein of 37,609 Da calculated molecular mass. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a homology with GalM proteins from several other microorganisms. Thus, the galM gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the product was identified as a 38 kDa protein which corresponded to the size estimated from DNA sequence. mutarotase activity of the IPTG inducedrecombinant was 2.7 times increased against that of the host strain.