The invention is directed to a promoter isolated from maize. The promoter of the invention have particular utility in driving root preferred expression, specifically root-cap expression, of heterologous genes that impart increased agronomic, horticultural and/or pesticidal characteristics to a given transgenic plant. The invention is also drawn to DNA molecules comprising the promoter of the invention and transformed plant tissues containing DNA molecules comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a heterologous gene or genes, and seeds thereof.
