The invention is directed to a promoter, designated MuB, sequences which
hybridize to same and functional fragments thereof. The regulatory
element of the invention provide improved expression in plants of
operably linked nucleotide sequences. Expression vectors with the
regulatory element is the subject of the invention, which may further
include an operably linked nucleotide sequence. The invention is further
directed to transformed plant tissue including the nucleotide sequence
and to transformed plants and seeds thereof. The regulatory element is
useful for driving gene or antisense expression or the like for the
purpose of imparting agronomically useful traits such as, but not limited
to, increase in yield, disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide
tolerance, drought tolerance and salt tolerance in plants.