The integral membrane protein p22phox forms a heterodimeric enzyme complex with NADPH oxidases (Noxs) and is required for their catalytic activity. Nox4, a Nox linked to cardiovascular disease, angiogenesis, and insulin signaling, is unique in its ability to produce hydrogen peroxide constitutively. To date, p22 phox constitutes the only identified regulatory component for Nox4 function. To delineate structural elements in p22 phox essential for formation and localization of the Nox4-p22 phox complex and its enzymatic function, truncation and point mutagenesis was used. Human lung carcinoma cells served as a heterologous expression system, since this cell type is p22 phox -deficient and promotes cell surface expression of the Nox4-p22 phox heterodimer. Expression of p22 phox truncation mutants indicates that the dual tryptophan motif contained in the N-terminal amino acids 6 -11 is essential, whereas the C terminus (amino acids 130 -195) is dispensable for Nox4 activity. Introduction of charged residues in domains predicted to be extracellular by topology modeling was mostly tolerated, whereas the exchange of amino acids in predicted membranespanning domains caused loss of function or showed distinct differences in p22 phox interaction with various Noxs. For example, the substitution of tyrosine 121 with histidine in p22 phox , which abolished Nox2 and Nox3 function in vivo, preserved Nox4 activity when expressed in lung cancer cells. Many of the examined p22 phox mutations inhibiting Nox1 to -3 maturation did not alter Nox4-p22 phox association, further accenting the differences between Noxs. These studies highlight the distinct interaction of the key regulatory p22 phox subunit with Nox4, a feature which could provide the basis for selective inhibitor development.The phagocyte NADPH oxidase consists of two membraneassociated subunits, the catalytic Nox2 (gp91 phox ) and the small subunit p22phox . Upon activation of the oxidase, several regulatory proteins in the cytosol undergo changes, such as incorporation of GTP or phosphorylation, leading to translocation and assembly of a multimeric oxidase complex at the membrane (1-3). This catalytically active complex shuttles electrons across the membrane in order to reduce molecular oxygen to superoxide. Although Nox2 contains the NADPH binding site, the flavin, and the heme groups required for accepting and transferring electrons, electron flow is also dependent on the presence of p22 phox as a focal point for oxidase assembly.