The IAH1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes an esterase that preferentially acts on isoamyl acetate, however, the enzyme has not yet been completely purified from the yeast S. cerevisiae. We constructed the IAH1 gene expression system in Escherichia coli. and purified the IAH1 gene product (Iah1p). The amount of Iah1p produced by recombinant E. coli was more than 40% of total cellular proteins. The molecular size of lah1p was 28 kDa by SDS-poryacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Judging from the molecular weight estimation by gel filtration of purified Iah1p, the enzyme was thought to be a homodimer. The K-m values for isoamyl acetate and isobutyl acetate were 40.3 mM and 15.3 mM, respectively. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Hg2+, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and diiso-propylfluorophosphate.