This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for promoting transcription of a nucleotide sequence in a plant or plant cell, employing a promoter from a GmTEFs1 gene. Some embodiments relate to a promoter or a 5′ UTR from a GmTEFs1 gene that functions in plants to promote transcription of operably linked nucleotide sequences. Other embodiments relate to a 3′ UTR or a terminator from a GmTEFs1 gene that functions in plants to promote transcription of operably linked nucleotide sequences.