Plant metabolism and alkaloid levels can be regulated by transcription factors that regulate the nicotinic alkaloid biosynthetic pathway. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a transcription factor that negatively regulates alkaloid biosynthesis, such as nicotine biosynthesis. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods for the inhibition of Nicotiana benthamiana auxin response factor (NbTF7) to increase alkaloid biosynthesis in plants.
