Protein synthesis by isolated chloroplasts.

Isolated chloroplasts show substantial rates of protein synthesis when illuminated. This 'in organello' protein synthesis system has been advantageously utilised to elucidate the coding capacity of chloroplast and the regulation of chloroplast genes. The system is also being used recently to transcribe and translate homologous and heterologous templates. In this mini-review, we attempt to critically ecaluate the available literature and present the current and the prospective lines of research.