Dynamic regulation of the tryptophan operon: A modeling study and comparison with experimental data

A mathematical model for regulation of the tryptophan operon is presented. This model takes into account repression, feedback enzyme inhibition, and t ranscriptional attenuation, Special attention is given to model parameter e stimation based on experimental data. The model's system of delay different ial equations is numerically solved, and the results are compared with expe rimental data on the temporal evolution of enzyme activity in cultures of E scherichia coli after a nutritional shift (minimal + tryptophan medium to m inimal medium). Good agreement is obtained between the numeric simulations and the experimental results for wild-type E. coli. as well as for two diff erent mutant strains.