This invention relates to methods of controlling gene expression or gene suppression in eukaryotic cells. One aspect of this invention includes modifying the degree of silencing of a target gene by use of a modified suppression element. Another aspect includes providing a eukaryotic cell having a desired phenotype resulting from transcription in the eukaryotic cell of a modified suppression element. Also provided are transgenic eukaryotic cells, transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing modified suppression elements, and useful derivatives of such transgenic plant cells, plants, or seeds, such as food or feed products.