A novel short interspersed nuclear element (SINE)-like sequence, named IPSE1, was identified in the retrotransposon fragments of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). Sequences highly homologous to IPSE1 were identified in three previously reported genes of genus Ipomoea, suggesting that IPSE1 is conserved in genomes of Ipomoea. Structural characteristics of IPSE1 were discussed.
