Abstract
Chloroplast gene expression in higher plants is thought to be regulated mainly at the post-transcriptional level. To study mRNA translation in the chloroplast, we used an improved in vitro translation system derived from tobacco chloroplasts. Using GFP reporter gene, we established non-radioactive detection system to measure rate of mRNA translation. We are currently analyzing cis-elements and trans-acting factors that are required for efficient translation initiation of chloroplast mRNAs in tobacco, and the results will be presented.
