Nucleic acid sequences encoding transcription factors regulating alkaloid biosynthesis and their use in modifying plant metabolism

A method for down-regulating a NbTF1 transcription factor in a Nicotiana plant, wherein the transcription factor is down-regulated by the method comprising:

• (a) introducing into a plant a nucleic acid comprising at least 21 consecutive nucleotides of a cDNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 1 or SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• (ii) a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 3;
• and
• (iii) a nucleotide sequence that is at least 90% identical to the nucleotide sequences of (i) or (ii), and which encodes a transcription factor that positively regulates nicotinic alkaloid biosynthesis;
• wherein the consecutive nucleotides are in sense orientation, antisense orientation, or both;
• and
• (b) growing the Nicotiana plant under conditions whereby the nucleotide sequence decreases levels of the transcription factor in the plant as compared to a control Nicotiana plant grown under similar conditions.

A method for up-regulating a NbTF1 transcription factor in a Nicotiana plant, wherein the transcription factor is up-regulated by the method comprising:

• (a) introducing into the plant an expression construct comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 1 or SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• and
• (ii) a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 3;
• and
• (b) growing the plant under conditions whereby the expression construct increases levels of the transcription factor in the plant as compared to a control plant grown under similar conditions.