Abstract: An aspect provides plant cells with an engineered QPT gene and methods of using the same. When a QPT gene in a plant cell is genetically engineered according to an aspect, biosynthesis of nicotine is effectively inhibited, and nicotine is reduced by about 97% or more, and since alkaloids other than nicotine (nornicotine, anabasine, anatabine) are also reduced by about 68% or more, plant cells with reduced carcinogen TSNAs (NNK, NNN, NAB, and NAT) may be produced.

Abstract: Provided are: a plant cell, in which expression or activity of a phytochelatin synthase (PCS) gene or a protein encoded by the PCS gene is reduced as compared with a parent cell; a plant having that has reduced heavy metal absorption, and includes the plant cell; a method of reducing heavy metals in a plant, the method including reducing expression or activity of a PCS gene or a protein encoded by the PCS gene, as compared with a parent cell; a CRISPR-Cas9 recombinant vector including a single guide RNA targeting a PCS gene; and a method of preparing a plant with reduced heavy metals, the method including transforming a plant cell with the recombinant vector.