EXPRESSION OF POLYPEPTIDES IN CHLOROPLASTS, AND COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR EXPRESSING SAME

摘要

Methods of producing one or more polypeptides in a plant chloroplast, including methods of producing polypeptides that specifically associate in a plant chloroplast to generate a functional protein complex, are provided. An isolated polynucleotide that includes (or encodes) a first ribosome binding sequence (RBS) operatively linked to a second RBS, such that the first RBS directs translation of a polypeptide in a prokaryote and the second RBS directs translation of the polypeptide in a chloroplast, also is provided, as is a vector containing such a polynucleotide, particularly a chloroplast vector and a chloroplast/prokaryote shuttle vector. Also provided is a synthetic polynucleotide, which is chloroplast codon biased. A plant cell that is genetically modified to contain a polynucleotide or vector as described above, as well as transgenic plants containing or derived from such a genetically modified cell, are provide. Polypeptides encoded by a synthetic polynucleotide as described also are provided.