| abstract |
Four genes, A622, NBB1, PMT and QPT, can be adjusted to increase the content of nicotinic alkaloids in tobacco (Nicotiana) plants and to synthesize nicotinic alkaloids in plants and cells that do not produce nicotine. In particular, overexpression of one or more of A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT can be used to increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid content in tobacco plants. Cells that do not produce nicotine can be genetically engineered to produce nicotine and related compounds by overexpressing A622 and NBB1. |