Background: In addition to pathogenicity of bacteria, they have useful applications in various fields, including their use in industry for production diverse substances. Corynebacterium glutamicum has a high potential to synthesize and secrete copious amounts of L-lysine amino acid. L-lysine is one of the most amino acids in various industries that it used in animal feed, synthesis of pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements for athletes and as a raw material in the food industry. Methods: A literature search of six electronic databases was conducted to detect relevant articles of C. glutamicum and lysine production that were published from 1956 - 2017. These studies were evaluated in terms of the amount of L-lysine production and time requirement for it. Results: In an attempt to increase and optimize the production of L-lysine in C. glutamicum, a variety of methods have been conducted during the past 60 years. In 1956, most studies were focused to optimize the culture media of C. glutamicum. Gradually and with the development of genetic engineering and biotechnology, complete genome sequences of C. glutamicum, namely R and ATCC 13032 were deciphered. Then the genes involved in the metabolism of C. glutamicum were detected. Following these developments, nowadays, many studies using genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) was done, to increase production of L-lysine in C. glutamicum. Conclusion: Among the various strategies used for increase the production of L-lysine in C. glutamicum, genetic engineering techniques, especially CRISPR genome editing technology, are quick and efficient tools for improve the metabolic conditions and L-lysine overproduction.

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