Theoretical study of tryptophan operon: Application in microbial technology

Abstract

A model for the tryptophan operon is formulated based on the genetic and biophysical data available on the structure of the operon and the nature of interactions between the represser and its ligands. Studies have been done, on wild-type, superrepressing, and loose-binding strains to identify conditions at which the stability of the system changes (i.e., evolves to a stable synthesis or periodic synthesis with increasing amplitude). Also, the factors that increase the yield of tryptophan are studied and predictions made, based on the results, for obtaining overproducing strains of tryptophan that can be used for the industrial production of this useful amino acid.