The biotin carboxylase component of acetyl CoA carboxylase has been purified approximately 2000 times from Escherichia coli. This protein, which catalyzes the carboxylation of free d-biotin, is free of the biotin-containing carboxyl carrier protein, is homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation, and has been crystallized. Biotin carboxylase, with a molecular weight of approximately 100,000, is composed of two 50,000-dalton subunits. The catalytic capacity of biotin carboxylase is markedly enhanced by ethanol (11 times at 15% v/v), and certain other organic solvents; this may mimic an effector-mediated response. The kinetic effect is exclusively on the maximal velocity of the reaction. Activation by ethanol is reversible and not accompanied by aggregation or disaggregation of the enzyme.