Genomic integration and expression of the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans catalase gene in Aggregatibacter aphrophilus

There was no apparent species barrier for the transfer and expression of A. actinomycetemcomitans katA in A. aphrophilus. The inserted A. actinomycetemcomitans-specific katA gene in A. aphrophilus strain NJ8700 conferred resistance to inhibition by hydrogen peroxide or S. gordonii. The potential to swap genes between these two closely related oral species may be an alternative approach for investigating the virulence determinants of A. actinomycetemcomitans.