Quinazolinone Phytoeffectors for Plant Drought Stress Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural practices lack effective compounds that can induce drought stress tolerance in plants, addressing the adverse effects of water scarcity on crop growth and yield.

Innovation Solution

The use of specific quinazolinones as phytoeffectors, including compounds such as Compound C123 (BER287) and Compound BER384 (QSP265, GOL102), which act by inhibiting plant PARP enzymes to enhance drought stress tolerance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If plants are exposed to drought stress conditions, then water availability is limited, but plant growth and yield are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater availabilityVSAvoidplant growth and yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the plant through application of quinazolinone compounds. These compounds alter physiological parameters such as osmotic adjustment capacity, ROS detoxification enzymes, and stress hormone balances, enabling plants to maintain growth and yield despite limited water availability. The compounds change the plant's biochemical state to tolerate drought conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If osmolyte accumulation is increased to maintain water potential, then water uptake is improved, but cellular metabolism may be negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater uptake capabilityVSAvoidcellular metabolism disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The quinazolinone compounds act as intermediary substances that mediate between water stress conditions and cellular metabolism. They facilitate osmotic adjustment and enhance stress tolerance without directly disrupting metabolic pathways. The compounds serve as protective agents that allow the plant to maintain water potential while preserving cellular metabolic functions through mechanisms involving PARP enzyme inhibition and antioxidant systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during water stress, then photosynthesis is disrupted, but plant stress response is activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotosynthesis disruptionVSAvoidROS formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of ROS generation during water stress into a beneficial stress response activation. The quinazolinone compounds inhibit PARP enzymes, which reduces ROS formation and enhances the plant's ability to manage oxidative stress. This transforms the harmful ROS accumulation into a controlled stress response that protects rather than damages the plant, improving photosynthesis efficiency under drought conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These compounds increase plant growth, health, and yield under drought conditions by mitigating the effects of water stress, enhancing osmotic adjustment and ROS detoxification mechanisms in plants.

Implementation Method 1

act by inhibiting plant PARP enzymes to enhance drought stress tolerance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

enhancing osmotic adjustment and ROS detoxification mechanisms in plants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentEP4684640A1Quinazolinones as phytoeffectors
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FUER PFLANZENBIOCHEMIE (IPB) STIFTUNG DES OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTS
  • EP4684640A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4684640A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4684640A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of specific quinazolinones as phytoeffectors, e.g. for increasing plant growth, as well as to respective compounds as such.