The Lem2 gene promoter of barley directs cell- and development-specific expression of gfp in transgenic plants.

Transgenic approaches to combating fungal pathogens, such as Fusarium graminearum, require the targeting of antifungal gene expression in tissues of developing seed spikes of cereal grains, especially lemmas and epicarps. The Lem2 gene of barley encodes a lectin-like protein that is strongly up-regulated by salicylic acid and is preferentially expressed in lemmas, paleas (lemma/palea) and coleoptiles. Transient expression studies have indicated that the proximal -75/+70 region (relative to the transcription start site) determines organ specificity.