NADPH oxidase does not account fully for O2-sensing in model airway chemoreceptor cells

A key feature of O-2 sensing by chemoreceptor tissues is the hypoxic inhibition of K+ channels. However, mechanisms coupling a fall of pO(2) to channel closure differ between tissues: O-2 regulation of K+ channels in chemoreceptive neuroepithelial bodies and their immortal counterparts, H146 cells, involves altered reactive oxygen species generation by NADPH oxidase, In contrast, this enzyme complex is not involved in O-2 sensing by the carotid body and pulmonary vasculature, Here, we provide pharmacological evidence to support a role for NADPH oxidase in hypoxic inhibition of K+ currents in H146 cells. Two structurally unrelated NADPH oxidase inhibitors, diphenylene iodonium and phenylarsine oxide, suppressed hypoxic inhibition of K+ currents recorded using the patch-clamp technique. Most importantly, however, neither inhibitor fully blocked this response. Our findings provide the first evidence that multiple mechanisms may coexist within a specific cell type to account for hypoxic suppression of K+ channel activity. (C) 2001 Academic Press.