delta1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate (PCA) reductase [L-proline:NAD(P)+5-oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.2] has been purified over 200-fold from Escherichia coli K-12. It has a molecular weight of approximately 320,000. PCA reductase mediates the pyridine nucleotide-linked reduction of PCA to proline but not the reverse reaction (even at high substrate concentrations). The partially purified preparation is free of competing pyridine nucleotide oxidase, PCA dehydrogenase, and proline oxidase activities. The Michaelis constant (Km) values for the substrate, PCA, with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) or NADH as cofactor are 0.15 and 0.14 mM, respectively. The Km values determined for NADPH and NADH are 0.03 and 0.23 mM, respectively. Although either NADPH or NADH can function as cofactor, the activity observed with NADPH is severalfold greater. PCA reductase is not repressed by growth in the presence of proline, but it is inhibited by the reaction end products, proline and NADP.