This invention encompasses the identification and isolation genes and gene fragments that confer altered metabolic characteristics in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, when expressed using GENEWARE.TM. viral vectors. These genes are derived from a variety of sources. Expression of these genes resulted in alterations of the levels of at least one of the following metabolites: acids, fatty acids, amino acids and related compounds, branched fatty acids, carbohydrates, hydrocarbons, alkaloids and other bases, esters, glycerides, phenols and related compounds, alcohols, alkenes and alkynes, sterols, oxygenated terpenes, and other isoprenoids, and ketones and quinones.