The present invention provides polynucleotides isolated from eucaryotic organisms which are structural genes or promoters. Such isolated polynucleotides are particularly useful in the modification of gene expression in plants. This invention also relates to compositions isolated from plants and their use in the modification of gene activation and/or expression. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention provides plant polynucleotide sequences encoding promoters that are components of the cellular activation and transcription apparatus and the use of such polynucleotide sequences in the modification of expression of genes.