The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to DNA sequences of the rice (Oryza sativa cv Nipponbare) triosephosphate isomerase (OsTPI) gene promoter that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous polynucleotide molecules in plants. The invention also relates to expression constructs and transgenic plants containing the heterologous polynucleotide molecules operably linked to and regulated by OsTPI DNA sequences.