The present invention relates to an isolated DNA molecule selected from the group: a promoter-effective DNA molecule of Gossypium which is operable in embryonic seed tissues and a promoter-effective DNA molecule of Gossypium which is operable in chlorophyllous tissues. Use of the promoter-effective DNA molecules in chimeric genes, and preparation of expression systems, host cells, transgenic plants, and transgenic plant seeds containing such chimeric gene is also disclosed. Methods of expressing a heterologous mRNA molecule or protein or polypeptide in chlorophyllous tissue of plants or embryonic seed tissues are also disclosed.