Abstract: A method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine is provided herein. The methods includes administering at least one basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) type transcription factor inhibitor to an organism in need thereof. Also provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a bZIP type transcription factor binding site on a promoter of a nicotine N-demethylase (NND). Further provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a plant genome to knockout at least one bZIP type transcription factor.

Abstract: A method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine is provided herein. The methods includes administering at least one basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) type transcription factor inhibitor to an organism in need thereof. Also provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a bZIP type transcription factor binding site on a promoter of a nicotine N-demethylase (NND). Further provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a plant genome to knockout at least one bZIP type transcription factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating (e.g. decreasing) the nicotine content of a plant (e.g. a tobacco plant) or part thereof, or tobacco plant cell, the method comprising modifying said plant or cell providing at least one mutation in a Nic3 locus. The present invention provides a method for modulating (e.g. decreasing) the nicotine content of a plant (e.g. a tobacco plant) or part thereof, or tobacco plant cell, the method comprising modifying said plant or cell to modulate the expression or activity of at least one Nic3 gene. The present invention also provides for the use of the Nic3 locus for modulating the alkaloid content of a plant, as well as tobacco cells, plants, plant propagation materials, harvested leaves, processed tobaccos, or delivery systems obtainable in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for increasing the expression of a gene of interest in a plant by co-expressing the gene of interest with a p21 polynucleotide. The gene of interest can be endogenous or heterologous to the plant. Further provided are plants, such as tobacco plants, comprising a heterologous p21 polynucleotide. Co-expression of the p21 polynucleotide with a gene of interest in the plant increases the expression of the gene of interest when compared to a control plant. Accordingly, p21 co-expression can increase the expression of genes of interest encoding proteins such as defense proteins, enzymes, signaling proteins, reporter proteins, antibodies and fragments thereof, growth factors, cell surface receptor molecules, seed storage proteins, and fungicides in a plant.

Abstract: A method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine is provided herein. The methods includes administering at least one basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) type transcription factor inhibitor to an organism in need thereof. Also provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a bZIP type transcription factor binding site on a promoter of a nicotine N-demethylase (NND). Further provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a plant genome to knockout at least one bZIP type transcription factor.

Abstract: A method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine is provided herein. The methods includes administering at least one basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) type transcription factor inhibitor to an organism in need thereof. Also provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a bZIP type transcription factor binding site on a promoter of a nicotine N-demethylase (NND). Further provided herein is a method of decreasing conversion of nicotine to nornicotine including mutating a plant genome to knockout at least one bZIP type transcription factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for editing a target site of a plant genome by delivery of functional editing components using modified tobacco mosaic virus (mTMV). The methods disclosed herein can be used to deliver a gene editing system, such as a DNA endonuclease, to a tobacco plant cell for modification of a target site of the plant genome. Further, the methods and compositions disclosed herein provide for production of a RNA molecule encoding a meganuclease in vitro prior to delivery of the RNA to a plant cell. After introduction of the nucleic acid molecule encoding a functional editing component and subsequent expression of the functional editing components, the plant can be cultured and allowed to produce seeds having an edit at a genomic target site. The seeds can then undergo embryo rescue and be cultured to produce a modified plant without heterologous genetic material.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for increasing the expression of a gene of interest in a plant by co-expressing the gene of interest with a p21 polynucleotide. The gene of interest can be endogenous or heterologous to the plant. Further provided are plants, such as tobacco plants, comprising a heterologous p21 polynucleotide. Co-expression of the p21 polynucleotide with a gene of interest in the plant increases the expression of the gene of interest when compared to a control plant. Accordingly, p21 co-expression can increase the expression of genes of interest encoding proteins such as defense proteins, enzymes, signaling proteins, reporter proteins, antibodies and fragments thereof, growth factors, cell surface receptor molecules, seed storage proteins, and fungicides in a plant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising a decrease in at least one amino acid such that upon heating and/or burning, the tobacco plant or a portion thereof generates reduced levels of a compound derived from the at least one amino acid as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the tobacco generates reduced levels of acrylamide and/or acrylonitrile upon heating and/or burning of the tobacco as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco line. These plants are useful for improving tobacco products.

Abstract: A method of curing tobacco. The method comprises the steps of contacting a tobacco material with a curing additive comprising one or more salts and curing the tobacco material under conditions and temperature for a time sufficient to produce cured tobacco wherein the amount of the one or more salts contacted with the tobacco is at least 5 percent of the dry weight of the cured tobacco.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising a decrease in at least one amino acid such that upon heating and/or burning, the tobacco plant or a portion thereof generates reduced levels of a compound derived from the at least one amino acid as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the tobacco generates reduced levels of acrylamide and/or acrylonitrile upon heating and/or burning of the tobacco as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco line. These plants are useful for improving tobacco products.

Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising a decrease in at least one amino acid such that upon heating and/or burning, the tobacco plant or a portion thereof generates reduced levels of a compound derived from the at least one amino acid as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the tobacco generates reduced levels of acrylamide and/or acrylonitrile upon heating and/or burning of the tobacco as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco line. These plants are useful for improving tobacco products.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: Treated plant seeds are provided, which have one or more modifying ingredients associated therewith. Such modifying ingredients can include compositions comprising water, flavorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof that can be provided or diluted form. The treated plant seeds can be incorporated within tobacco products, including smoking articles, to alter the properties thereof (e.g., by releasing the one or more modifying ingredients into the mainstream smoke of a smoking article).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising an altered uptake and/or altered levels of at least one environmental contaminant or other non-natural chemical as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant from which the modified plant is derived. The alteration in uptake and/or levels may be a reduction, or alternatively an increase, in the uptake and/or levels of the environmental contaminant or other non-natural chemical. These methods and plants are useful for improving tobacco products or in generating tobacco lines that may have environmentally useful properties.

Abstract: A method of curing tobacco. The method comprises the steps of contacting a tobacco material with a curing additive comprising one or more salts and curing the tobacco material under conditions and temperature for a time sufficient to produce cured tobacco wherein the amount of the one or more salts contacted with the tobacco is at least 5 percent of the dry weight of the cured tobacco.