Maize metallothionein 2 promoter and methods of use

Compositions and methods to regulate the expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. The compositions include a new nucleotide sequence of a promoter with a preference for the root of the gene encoding metallothionein. A method is provided for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant, using the promoter sequences described herein. The method comprises transforming a plant cell with a nucleotide sequence, operatively linked to one of said promoters. Plant cells, seeds and transformed plants are also provided. Claim 1: An isolated nucleic acid molecule characterized in that it comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleotide sequence comprising the sequence detailed in SEQ ID No. 1, or a complement thereof; b) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequences of deposited plasmids such as Patent Deposit No. NRRLB-30792, or a complement thereof; c) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of the detailed sequence SEQ ID No. 1, where said sequence initiates transcription in a plant cell; and d) a nucleotide sequence comprising a sequence having at least 95% sequence identity with the sequence detailed in SEQ ID No. 1, wherein said sequence initiates transcription in the plant cell.