bZIP transcription factors regulate conversion of nicotine to nornicotine and reduce levels of tobacco specific (TSNA) precursors

A tobacco cell culture or plant:

• comprising a plant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bZIP type transcription factor having at least one mutation, wherein the bZIP transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 or 3;
• an amino acid having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, 4, 5, or 6;
• or combinations thereof;
• wherein the tobacco cell culture or plant provides a decrease in conversion of nicotine to nornicotine and/or reduction in levels of at least one tobacco specific (TSNA) precursor of said culture or plant compared with that of an unmodified culture or plant.

A processed tobacco leaf comprising a plant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bZIP type transcription factor having at least one mutation, wherein the bZIP transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 or 3;
• an amino acid having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, 4, 5, or 6;
• or combinations thereof, wherein the leaf is a non-viable processed tobacco leaf.

A processed tobacco leaf comprising a plant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bZIP type transcription factor having at least one mutation, wherein the bZIP transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 or 3;
• an amino acid having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, 4, 5, or 6;
• or combinations thereof, wherein the plant or leaf is processed by curing, fermentation, pasteurizing or combinations thereof.

A processed tobacco leaf comprising a plant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bZIP type transcription factor having at least one mutation, wherein the bZIP transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 or 3;
• an amino acid having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, 4, 5, or 6;
• or combinations thereof, wherein the processed tobacco leaf is a cut processed tobacco leaf.

Cured tobacco material made from a plant, a part thereof, an extract thereof, or a cell culture comprising a plant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bZIP type transcription factor having at least one mutation, wherein the bZIP transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 or 3;
• an amino acid having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, 4, 5, or 6;
• or combinations thereof.