biostudies-literatureRyan MPBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilE1048https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6947025biostudies-literatureUnknown10(12)ICEpMERPH, the first integrative conjugative element (ICE) of the SXT/R391 family isolated in the United Kingdom and Europe, was analyzed to determine the nature of its adaptive functions, its genetic structure, and its homology to related elements normally found in pathogenic <i>Vibrio</i> or <i>Proteus</i> species. Whole genome sequencing of <i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i> isolate K802 (which contains the ICEpMERPH) was carried out using Illumina sequencing technology. ICEpMERPH has a size of 110 Kb and 112 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The "hotspot regions" of the element were found to contain putative restriction digestion systems, insertion sequences, and heavy metal resistance genes that encoded resistance to mercury, as previously reported, but also surprisingly to arsenateGenesA Novel Arsenate-Resistant Determinant Associated with ICEpMERPH, a Member of the SXT/R391 Group of Mobile Genetic Elements.PMC6947025BB/L024209/1Pembroke JTRyan MPSlattery SfalseA Novel Arsenate-Resistant Determinant Associated with ICEpMERPH, a Member of the SXT/R391 Group of Mobile Genetic Elements.ICEpMERPH, the first integrative conjugative element (ICE) of the SXT/R391 family isolated in the United Kingdom and Europe, was analyzed to determine the nature of its adaptive functions, its genetic structure, and its homology to related elements normally found in pathogenic <i>Vibrio</i> or <i>Proteus</i> species. Whole genome sequencing of <i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i> isolate K802 (which contains the ICEpMERPH) was carried out using Illumina sequencing technology. ICEpMERPH has a size of 110 Kb and 112 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The "hotspot regions" of the element were found to contain putative restriction digestion systems, insertion sequences, and heavy metal resistance genes that encoded resistance to mercury, as previously reported, but also surprisingly to arsenate2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Dec2026-04-16T03:08:51.077Z2020-05-22T07:46:19ZS-EPMC69470253188830810.3390/genes10121048