We have modified the cell-free coupled transcription/translation system of bacteria. The cell-free extract of Pseudomonas fluorescens was used for translation instead of Escherichia coli. In addition, transcription of the target gene was regulated by CspA promoter with endogenous RNA polymerase instead of by T7 promoter with exogenous T7 RNA polymerase. We could increase the yields of soluble proteins using different combinations of the S30 extract and the promoter and different temperatures for protein synthesis. Increasing the variety of synthesis systems allows production of large quantities of soluble proteins. In order to carry out efficient cell-free protein synthesis, versatile pCop-plasmids carrying CspA promoter were constructed and these plasmids were applicable to expression of recombinant proteins in E coli cells. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.