The plastid genes of higher plants are transcribed by two RNA polymerases:
the plastid-encoded plastid RNA polymerase or PEP and the nuclear-encoded p
lastid RNA polymerase or NEP. Below is a brief summary of what we know abou
t the two plastid RNA polymerases, highlighting recent data from this labor
atory. Most of the data were obtained using transgenic approaches, facilita
ted by the development of technology for plastid transformation in tobacco
[1, 2].