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Abstract

Phenotype of Escherichia coli is regulated by global transcriptional factors such as Fnr, ArcA, IhfA-B which respond to varying aeration levels. However, the effect of deleting these factors on cell growth kinetics and mixed acid production under aerobic conditions is not well understood. We utilized the Monod's model and Leudeking-Piret's model to assess the substrate-dependent growth and acetate secretion rates. These rates are linked to biomass formation and can be used to assess the impact of transcriptional factor's absence on growth and metabolism. Simulations of growth and metabolite production profiles of gene deletion strains (∆fnr, ∆arcA, ∆ihfA, and ∆ ihfB) indicate potential impacts on metabolic state (growth rate, energy production, and acetate secretion), emphasizing the significance of these regulators in E. coli's adaptive responses to oxygen availability. These simulated rates were similar to experimentally observed rates, indicating that these models are followed even after deletion of important transcription regulators.