CHO cell responses to low oxygen: regulation of oxygen consumption and sensitization to oxidative stress

We have investigated the regulation of oxygen consumption and modulation of glutathione levels in CHO-K1 cells under oxygen-limiting conditions. We report here suppression of oxygen consumption and alteration of the supply-dependent relationship as a consequence of prolonged hypoxic or anoxic exposure. The suppression is characterized by an increase in the value of P(o(2)/50) (the oxygen tension at which oxygen consumption is half maximal). Under prolonged anoxia there is also a decrease in the cells' potential to use oxygen. Elevated glucose consumption under low oxygen conditions may contribute to the suppression in respiration. The glutathione concentration remains constant throughout hypoxic exposure but may decrease by as much as 40% under anoxia. The glutathione level in hypoxic and anoxic cells increases by two- and four-fold, respectively, over that of the control cells when exposed to a cytotoxic level of oxygen (93%). This suggests that anoxic and hypoxic exposure sensitizes CHO cells to oxidative stress.