The IncJ group of mobile elements have not been extensively studied until recently, due to the inability to isolate extrachromosomal DNA from IncJ-strains. Sequence analysis of the prototype IncJ element, R391, revealed it to be a mosaic structure, integrated into the prfC gene in E coli. Using inverse PCR (iPCR), we localised the other available IncJ elements (R392, R705, R997 and pMERPH) site of insertion to a 17-bp sequence, within the 5' end of prfC at 99.31 min on the E. coli chromosome, and confirmed this for R391. Despite disrupting prfC, the IncJ's encode novel promoter and 5' sequences, restoring function of the disrupted prfC. Sequence analysis of the elements ends revealed that they contain integrase genes, which share extensive homologies among the group, despite being isolated from broad geographic locations. The elements excise from the host chromosome by recombination between their attL and attR sites, with subsequent recombination between the attP sites on the circular forms and the attB sites in the host genomes. The attB site is highly conserved and found in many different bacteria, suggesting a possible broad host range. (C) 2004 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.