Disclosed is an Escherichia coli which comprises an isopropyl alcohol production system. The isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli has at least one enhanced enzymatic activity that is selected from the group consisting of enhanced malate dehydrogenase activity, enhanced NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase (AB-specific) activity and enhanced thiolase activity. Also disclosed is a method for producing isopropyl alcohol, which comprises a process wherein isopropyl alcohol is produced from a plant-derived starting material using the above-described isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli.
