Cited by 881Mitochondrial Function and PathologyRedox biology and oxidative stressCancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism

Oxygen sensing by mitochondria at complex III: the paradox of increased reactive oxygen species during hypoxia

Guzy, Robert D., Schumacker, Paul T.·2006·Experimental Physiology

Abstract

All eukaryotic cells utilize oxidative phosphorylation to maintain their high‐energy phosphate stores. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption is required for ATP generation, and cell survival is threatened when cells are deprived of O 2. Consequently, all cells have the ability to sense O 2, and to activate adaptive processes that will enhance the likelihood of survival in anticipation that oxygen availability might become limiting. Mitochondria have long been considered a likely site of oxygen sensing, and we propose that the electron transport chain acts as an O 2 sensor by releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to hypoxia. The ROS released during hypoxia act as signalling agents that trigger diverse functional responses, including activation of gene expression through the stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐α. The primary site of ROS production during hypoxia appears to be complex III. The paradoxical increase in ROS production during hypoxia may be explained by an effect of O 2 within the mitochondrial inner membrane on: (a) the lifetime of the ubisemiquinone radical in complex III; (b) the relative release of mitochondrial ROS towards the matrix compartment versus the intermembrane space; or (c) the ability of O 2 to access the ubisemiquinone radical in complex III. In summary, the process of oxygen sensing is of fundamental importance in biology. An ability to control the oxygen sensing mechanism in cells, potentially using small molecules that do not disrupt oxygen consumption, would open valuable therapeutic avenues that could have a profound impact on a diverse range of diseases.

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Crossref · 10.1113/expphysiol.2006.033506

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Authors
Guzy, R. D., & Schumacker, P. T.
Affiliations
Northwestern University (US)
Venue
Experimental Physiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-08-21
Volume
91
Issue
5
Pages
807-819
ISSN
  • 0958-0670 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-445X
OpenAlex
W1675006565
Cited by
881
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 65 · 2014: 54 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 48
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Experimental Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 32646, HL079650, R01HL035440, R01HL079650, HL35440)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
Keywords
hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, cytochrome bc1 complex, electron transport chain, hypoxia-inducible factor alpha, oxidative phosphorylation, oxygen consumption
MeSH terms
Animals, Hypoxia, Humans, Mitochondria, Oxygen, Oxygen Consumption, Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase, Transcription, Genetic, Electron Transport Complex III, Signal Transduction, Reactive Oxygen Species, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1

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