Abstract: Disclosed are methods of increasing exogenous protein expression in a cell or a transgenic plant. Constructs, i.e., vectors, DNA fusions and polynucleotides, for use in conjunction with the methods to cause increased exogenous protein expression are also disclosed. These constructs generally include intron 1 and/or intron 2 of the PAT1 gene. Additionally disclosed are cells, including recombinant cells, and plant lines transformed with the described constructs. In particular, a cultivated, transgenic food plant, the genome of which has been augmented through the genomic introduction of a preselected exogenous protein gene not found in the genome of non-transformed parentage of the plant is described. Also described are seed, progeny and cells of the described transgenic food plant.