Arginine catabolic mobile element

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.^[1][2] Diverse ACME are present in several species of Staphylococcus, including Staphylococcus epidermidis.^[3][4]

Association with virulent MRSA

ACME are not common among antibiotic sensitive S. aureus (MSSA).^[5] The elements for the most prominent MRSA ACME appear to have assembled recently in S. epidermidis into the speG-positive ACME which was transferred to virulent S. aureus during the evolution of the epidemic USA300 MRSA strain.^[6][7] This broadened the ability of S. aureus to colonize sites beyond the nose.^[8] This strain is able to persist on intact skin and is spread rapidly person-to-person. As a result, the speG-positive ACME is a particularly important element of MRSA pathogenesis.

See also

• Mobile genetic elements