Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences of interest in a plant are provided. Compositions include novel nucleic acid molecules, and variants and fragments thereof, for promoter sequences isolated from the maize Ovule Development Protein 2 (ODP2) gene. A method for expressing a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant or plant cell an expression cassette comprising an ODP2 promoter of the present invention operably linked to a nucleotide sequence of interest. In particular, the compositions and methods find use in regulating expression of nucleotide sequences of interest in a seed-preferred manner. Transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds comprising the ODP2 promoter sequence or variants and fragments thereof are also provided.