PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new method for producing L-cysteine by clarifying an enzyme supporting cysteine desulfhydrase activity of a bacterial strain of genus Escherichia and its gene and using the gene for the breeding of the bacterial strain for producing L-cysteine. SOLUTION: The O-acetylserine sufhydrase B (OASS-B) gene or MalY regulatory protein (MAlY) gene of an Escherichia strain is modified to give a strain having L-cysteine productivity and lowered or eliminated cysteine desufhydrase activity. The modified strain is cultured in a medium to form and accumulate L-cysteine in the medium and L-cysteine is separated from the medium. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI