(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 407 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.12.2000 (43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 00917875.7 (22) Date of filing: 10.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 9/10, C12N 15/63, C12N 5/14, C12N 15/83, C12N 15/82 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/456 (87) International publication number: WO 0053/732 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 11.03.1999 US 123888 P 09.12.1999 US 169858 P (71) Applicants: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION Madison, WI 53707-7365 (US) Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. Des Moines, IA 50306-3453 (US) REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Minneapolis, MN 55455-2070 (US)

(72) Inventors: KAEPPLER, Shawn, M. Oregon, WI 53575 (US) SPRINGER, Nathan, Michael Northfield, MN 55057 (US) MUSZYNSKI, Michael, Gerard Johnston, IA 50131 (US) PAPA, Charles, Marvin Madison, WI 53715 (US) (74) Representative: Bohmann, Armin K., Dr.  Bohmann & Loosen,Anwaltssozietät,Sonnenstrasse 8 80331 München 80331 München (DE)