A common oxygen sensor regulates the sensory discharge and glomus cell HIF-1alpha in the rat carotid body.

The relationships between the chemosensory discharge and glomus cells HIF-1alpha (hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha) in the rat carotid body in vitro were investigated using CO as a tool. Both chemosensory discharge and HIF-1alpha were stimulated by CO, although the former took only a few seconds and the latter a few minutes to develop. These developments were suppressed by light. By using the monochromatic lights, the action spectra were prepared. Lights of 430 nm 590 nm were most effective in suppressing the responses. It is known that these lights are the signature markers for cytochrome oxidase, making identification of the entities. Thus, cytochrome oxidase serves as a common oxygen sensor for both.