Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit 4 Isoform 2 (Cox4i2) is essential for acute oxygen sensing and signaling in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) by triggering the production of superoxide during acute hypoxia [1]. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Cox4i2-dependent oxygen sensing remains elusive. We analysed oxygen-dependent respiration by high resolution respirometry, redox changes of the electron transport chain (ETC) by RAMAN spectroscopy, and supercomplex formation by blue native gel analysis of PASMCs isolated from wild type (WT) and Cox4i2-/- mice. To understand the role of Cox4i2-specific cysteine residues we determined hypoxia-induced superoxide production and oxygen affinity in a mouse epithelial cell line (CMT167 cells) overexpressing either Cox4i1, or WT Cox4i2, or Cox4i2 mutants (C41S, C55A, C109S). Respiration and supercomplex formation were similar in WT and Cox4i2-/- PASMCs. Interestingly, hypoxia-induced reduction of ETC components (NADH, ubiquinol, and reduced cytochrome c) was prevented in Cox4i2-/- PASMCs. CMT167 cells expressing either Cox4i1, or Cox4i2 mutants lacked hypoxia-induced superoxide release, which was detected only in cells expressing WT Cox4i2. In contrast, overexpression of Cox4i1, or Cox4i2, or Cox4i2 mutants did not affect oxygen affinity. Our findings suggest that Cox4i2 does not alter superoxide production by rearrangement of supercomplexes, whereas its specific cysteines are needed for the superoxide release. In conclusion, Cox4i2 plays a major role in the hypoxia-induced reduction of ETC components, likely mediated through its redox-active cysteine residues.