text: The arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) is a mobile genetic element of Staphylococcus bacterial species.  This genetic element provides for several immune modulating functions, including resistance to polyamines which serve as a non-specific immune response both on intact skin and following the inflammatory response in wound healing.  Diverse ACME are present in several species of Staphylococcus, including Staphylococcus epidermidis.