The present invention is directed to promoters isolated from maize and functional equivalents thereto. The promoters of the present invention have particular utility in driving root-specific expression of heterologous genes that impart increased agronomic, horticultural and/or pesticidal characteristics to a given transgenic plant. The present invention is also drawn to DNA molecules comprising the promoters of the invention and transformed plant tissues containing DNA molecules comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a heterologous gene or genes, and seeds thereof.