We have isolated a novel repetitive DNA element from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain VPP11, the entire structure of which is distinct from those of prokaryotic transposons, insertion sequences or eukaryotic retroposons reported. Southern blot hybridization experiments indicate that at least eight copies of this element locate on the M. hyopneumoniae genome. The size of this repetitive sequence is 4,193 bp which includes 270- and 272-bp direct long terminal repeats at each terminus. The internal domain of this element defines three open reading frames.