Staff profile

We are based within the Department of Chemistry and work closely with physicists, chemists, and mathematicians.

Carbon dioxide sensing.

CO₂ is essential for life. It is at the beginning of every life process as a fundamental substrate of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis and is at the end of every life process as the product of aerobic respiration and post-mortem decay. As such, it is not a surprise that this gas regulates such diverse processes as cellular chemical reactions, transport, maintenance of the cellular environment, behaviour and immunity. CO₂ is a strategically importnt research target with relevance to crop responses to environmental change, insect vector borne disease and public health. However, we know very little of the direct interactions of CO₂ with the cell, despite the importance of the gas to biology.

Our current work is directed toward understanding how CO₂ impacts on cell function in diverse model systems, particularly through the carbamate post-translational modification on the lysine epsilon-amino group. 

 

 

• Bicarbonate
• Biochemistry
• Carbon dioxide
• Cell biology
• Hypercapnia
• Hypocapnia
• Inorganic carbon
• Molecular biology
• Signal transduction

• 2023: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry:
• 2022: RCUK Committee Membership: Chair Panel D
• 2021: Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology:
• 2020: Institute of Physics: Rosalind Franklin Silver Medal (co-awardee)
• 2003: Fellowship: Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow 2003-2005

Chapter in book

• Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase, Adenosine and Transmembrane Adenylyl Cyclase Signalling Regulate Basal Carotid Body Chemoafferent Outflow and Establish the Sensitivity to Hypercapnia.
  Holmes, A., Nunes, A., Cann, M., & Kumar, P. (2015). Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase, Adenosine and Transmembrane Adenylyl Cyclase Signalling Regulate Basal Carotid Body Chemoafferent Outflow and Establish the Sensitivity to Hypercapnia. In C. Peers, P. Kumar, C. Wyatt, E. Gauda, C. A. Nurse, & N. Prabhakar (Eds.), Arterial Chemoreceptors in Physiology and Pathophysiology (279-289). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18440-1_32

Conference Paper

• Multi-scale Approaches to Dynamical Transmission of Protein Allostery
  Townsend, P., Rodgers, T., Pohl, E., Wilson, M., Cann, M., & McLeish, T. (2015, January). Multi-scale Approaches to Dynamical Transmission of Protein Allostery. Presented at Physical Biology of Proteins and Peptides, Mexico City, Mexico

Journal Article

• Multiple carbamylation events are required for differential modulation of Cx26 hemichannels and gap junctions by CO 2
  Nijjar, S., Brotherton, D., Butler, J., Dospinescu, V., Gannon, H. G., Linthwaite, V., Cann, M., Cameron, A., & Dale, N. (online). Multiple carbamylation events are required for differential modulation of Cx26 hemichannels and gap junctions by CO 2. The Journal of Physiology, https://doi.org/10.1113/jp285885
• Bacteria encode post-mortem protein catabolism that enables altruistic nutrient recycling
  Gibson, S. E. R., Frost, I., Hierons, S. J., Moses, T., Poon, W. C. K., West, S. A., & Cann, M. J. (2025). Bacteria encode post-mortem protein catabolism that enables altruistic nutrient recycling. Nature Communications, 16, Article 1400. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56761-6
• A Non-Functional Carbon Dioxide-Mediated Post-Translational Modification on Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase of Arabidopsis thaliana
  Gannon, H. G., Riaz-Bradley, A., & Cann, M. J. (2024). A Non-Functional Carbon Dioxide-Mediated Post-Translational Modification on Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase of Arabidopsis thaliana. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(2), Article 898. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020898
• Near atmospheric carbon dioxide activates plant ubiquitin cross-linking
  Gannon, H. G., & Cann, M. J. (2023). Near atmospheric carbon dioxide activates plant ubiquitin cross-linking. BBA Advances, 4, Article 100096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100096
• Allophycocyanin A is a carbon dioxide receptor in the cyanobacterial phycobilisome
  Guillen-Garcia, A., Gibson, S., Jordan, C., Ramaswamy, V., Linthwaite, V., Bromley, E., Brown, A., Hodgson, D., Blower, T., Verlet, J., Degiacomi, M., Palsson, L.-O., & Cann, M. (2022). Allophycocyanin A is a carbon dioxide receptor in the cyanobacterial phycobilisome. Nature Communications, 13, Article 5289. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32925-6
• Carbon Dioxide and the Carbamate Post-Translational Modification
  Blake, L. I., & Cann, M. J. (2022). Carbon Dioxide and the Carbamate Post-Translational Modification. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 9, Article 825706. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.825706
• Ubiquitin is a carbon dioxide-binding protein
  Linthwaite, V., Pawloski, W., Pegg, H., Townsend, P., Thomas, M., Brown, A., Hodgson, D., Lorimer, G., Fushman, D., & Cann, M. (2021). Ubiquitin is a carbon dioxide-binding protein. Science Advances, 7(39), Article eabi5507. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi5507
• A methodology for carbamate post-translational modification discovery and its application in Escherichia coli
  Linthwaite, V. L., & Cann, M. J. (2021). A methodology for carbamate post-translational modification discovery and its application in Escherichia coli. Interface Focus, 11(2), Article 20200028. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2020.0028
• Opposing modulation of Cx26 gap junctions and hemichannels by CO2
  Nijjar, S., Maddison, D., Meigh, L., Wolf, E., Rodgers, T., Cann, M., & Dale, N. (2021). Opposing modulation of Cx26 gap junctions and hemichannels by CO2. The Journal of Physiology, 599(1), 103-118. https://doi.org/10.1113/jp280747
• Applying TADF Emitters in Bioimaging and Sensing—A Novel Approach Using Liposomes for Encapsulation and Cellular Uptake
  Smith, P. O., Black, D. J., Pal, R., Avó, J., Dias, F. B., Linthwaite, V. L., Cann, M. J., & Pålsson, L.-O. (2021). Applying TADF Emitters in Bioimaging and Sensing—A Novel Approach Using Liposomes for Encapsulation and Cellular Uptake. Frontiers in Chemistry, 9, Article 743928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.743928
• A DNA-binding bromodomain-containing protein interacts with and reduces Rx1-mediated immune response to Potato Virus X
  Sukarta, O. C., Townsend, P. D., Llewelyn, A., Dixon, C. H., Slootweg, E. J., Pålsson, L.-O., Takken, F. L., Goverse, A., & Cann, M. J. (2020). A DNA-binding bromodomain-containing protein interacts with and reduces Rx1-mediated immune response to Potato Virus X. Plant communications, 1(4), Article 100086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2020.100086
• Distinct Roles of Non-Overlapping Surface Regions of the Coiled-Coil Domain in the Potato Immune Receptor Rx1
  Slootweg, E. J., Spiridon, L. N., Martin, E. C., Tameling, W. I., Townsend, P. D., Pomp, R., Roosien, J., Drawska, O., Sukarta, O. C., Schots, A., Borst, J. W., Joosten, M. H., Bakker, J., Smant, G., Cann, M. J., Petrescu, A.-J., & Goverse, A. (2018). Distinct Roles of Non-Overlapping Surface Regions of the Coiled-Coil Domain in the Potato Immune Receptor Rx1. Plant Physiology, 178(3), 1310-1331. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.18.00603
• The identification of carbon dioxide mediated protein post-translational modifications
  Linthwaite, V., Janus, J., Brown, A., Wong-Pascua, D., O’Donoghue, A., Porter, A., Treumann, A., Hodgson, D., & Cann, M. (2018). The identification of carbon dioxide mediated protein post-translational modifications. Nature Communications, 9, Article 3092. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05475-z
• The intracellular immune receptor Rx1 regulates the DNA-binding activity of a Golden2-like transcription factor
  Townsend, P., Dixon, C., Slootweg, E., Sukarta, O., Yang, A., Hughes, T., Sharples, G., Palsson, L.-O., Takken, F., Goverse, A., & Cann, M. (2018). The intracellular immune receptor Rx1 regulates the DNA-binding activity of a Golden2-like transcription factor. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293(9), 3218-3233. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.ra117.000485
• Hypercapnia modulates cAMP signalling and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-dependent anion and fluid secretion in airway epithelia
  Turner, M., Saint-Crib, V., Patel, W., Ibrahim, S., Verdon, B., Ward, C., Garnett, J., Tarran, R., Cann, M., & Gray, M. (2016). Hypercapnia modulates cAMP signalling and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-dependent anion and fluid secretion in airway epithelia. The Journal of Physiology, 594(6), 1643-1661. https://doi.org/10.1113/jp271309
• The tomato Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) Immune Receptor I-2 couples DNA-Binding to Nucleotide-Binding Domain Nucleotide Exchange
  Fenyk, S., Dixon, C. H., Kittens, W. H., Townsend, P. D., Sharples, G. .., Pålsson, L. .-O., Takken, F. L. W., & Cann, M. J. (2016). The tomato Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) Immune Receptor I-2 couples DNA-Binding to Nucleotide-Binding Domain Nucleotide Exchange. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 291(3), 1137-1147. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m115.698589
• The Potato Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) Immune Receptor Rx1 is a Pathogen Dependent DNA-Deforming Protein
  Fenyk, S., Townsend, P. D., Dixon, C. H., Spies, G. B., de San Eustaquio Campillo, A., Slootweg, E. J., Westerhof, L. B., Gawehns, F. K., Knight, M. R., Sharples, G. J., Goverse, A., Pålsson, L.-O., Takken, F. L., & Cann, M. J. (2015). The Potato Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) Immune Receptor Rx1 is a Pathogen Dependent DNA-Deforming Protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(41), 24945-24960. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m115.672121
• Dynamic Transmission of Protein Allostery without Structural Change: Spatial Pathways or Global Modes?
  McLeish, T., Cann, M., & Rodgers, T. (2015). Dynamic Transmission of Protein Allostery without Structural Change: Spatial Pathways or Global Modes?. Biophysical Journal, 109(6), 1240-1250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2015.08.009
• The role of protein-ligand contacts in allosteric regulation of the Escherichia coli Catabolite Activator Protein
  Townsend, P., Rodgers, T., Glover, L., Korhonen, H., Richards, S., Colwell, L., Pohl, E., Wilson, M., Hodgson, D., McLeish, T., & Cann, M. (2015). The role of protein-ligand contacts in allosteric regulation of the Escherichia coli Catabolite Activator Protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(36), 22225-22235. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m115.669267
• Global low-frequency motions in protein allostery: CAP as a model system
  Townsend, P., Rogers, T., Pohl, E., Wilson, M., McLeish, T., & Cann, M. (2015). Global low-frequency motions in protein allostery: CAP as a model system. Biophysical Reviews, 7(2), 175-182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-015-0163-9
• The crystal structures of apo and cAMP-bound GlxR from Corynebacterium glutamicum reveal structural and dynamic changes upon cAMP binding in CRP/FNR family transcription factors
  Townsend, P., Jungwirth, B., Pojer, P., Bußmann, M., Money, V., Cole, S., Pühler, A., Tauch, A., Bott, M., Cann, M., & Pohl, E. (2014). The crystal structures of apo and cAMP-bound GlxR from Corynebacterium glutamicum reveal structural and dynamic changes upon cAMP binding in CRP/FNR family transcription factors. PLoS ONE, 9(12), Article e113265. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113265
• CO2 directly modulates connexin 26 by formation of carbamate bridges between subunits
  Meigh, L., Greenhalgh, S., Rodgers, T., Cann, M., Roper, D., & Dale, N. (2013). CO2 directly modulates connexin 26 by formation of carbamate bridges between subunits. eLife, 2, https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.01213
• Modulation of Global Low-Frequency Motions Underlies Allosteric Regulation: Demonstration in CRP/FNR Family Transcription Factors
  Rodgers, T., Townsend, P., Burnell, D., Jones, M., Richards, S., McLeish, T., Pohl, E., Wilson, M., & Cann, M. (2013). Modulation of Global Low-Frequency Motions Underlies Allosteric Regulation: Demonstration in CRP/FNR Family Transcription Factors. PLoS Biology, 11(9), Article e1001651. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001651
• Elevated Carbon Dioxide Blunts Mammalian cAMP Signaling Dependent on Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate Receptor-mediated Ca2+ Release
  Cook, Z., Gray, M., & Cann, M. (2012). Elevated Carbon Dioxide Blunts Mammalian cAMP Signaling Dependent on Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate Receptor-mediated Ca2+ Release. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(31), 26291-26301. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m112.349191
• A Nucleotide Phosphatase Activity in the Nucleotide Binding Domain of an Orphan Resistance Protein from Rice
  Fenyk, S., de San Eustaquio Campillo, A., Pohl, E., Hussey, P., & Cann, M. (2012). A Nucleotide Phosphatase Activity in the Nucleotide Binding Domain of an Orphan Resistance Protein from Rice. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(6), 4023-4032. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m111.314450
• Crystal Structure and Regulation Mechanisms of the CyaB Adenylyl Cyclase from the Human Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  Topal, H., Fulcher, N., Bitterman, J., Salazar, E., Buck, J., Levin, L., Cann, M., Wolfgang, M., & Steegborn, C. (2012). Crystal Structure and Regulation Mechanisms of the CyaB Adenylyl Cyclase from the Human Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Molecular Biology, 416(2), 271-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2011.12.045
• The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Chp chemosensory system regulates intracellular cAMP levels by modulating adenylate cyclase activity
  Fulcher, N., Holliday, P., Klem, E., Cann, M., & Wolfgang, M. (2010). The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Chp chemosensory system regulates intracellular cAMP levels by modulating adenylate cyclase activity. Molecular Microbiology, 76(4), 889-904. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07135.x
• Stimulation of Mammalian G-protein-responsive Adenylyl Cyclases by Carbon Dioxide
  Townsend, P., Holliday, P., Fenyk, S., Hess, K., Gray, M., Hodgson, D., & Cann, M. (2009). Stimulation of Mammalian G-protein-responsive Adenylyl Cyclases by Carbon Dioxide. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284(2), 784-791. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m807239200
• Sodium regulation of GAF domain function
  Cann, M. (2007). Sodium regulation of GAF domain function. Biochemical Society Transactions, 35(5), 1032-1034. https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0351032
• Synthesis of 5'-Amino-5'-deoxyguanosine-5'-N-phosphoramidate and its Enzymatic Incorporation at the 5'-Termini of RNA Molecules
  Williamson, D., Cann, M., & Hodgson, D. (2007). Synthesis of 5'-Amino-5'-deoxyguanosine-5'-N-phosphoramidate and its Enzymatic Incorporation at the 5'-Termini of RNA Molecules. Chemical Communications, 2007(47), 5096-5098. https://doi.org/10.1039/b712066d
• A subset of GAF domains are evolutionarily conserved sodium sensors
  Cann, M. (2007). A subset of GAF domains are evolutionarily conserved sodium sensors. Molecular Microbiology, 64(2), 461-472. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.05669.x
• A europium complex that selectively stains nucleoli of cells
  Yu, J., Parker, D., Pal, R., Poole, R., & Cann, M. (2006). A europium complex that selectively stains nucleoli of cells. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 128(7), 2294-2299. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja056303g
• Regulation of prokaryotic adenylyl cyclases by CO₂
  Hammer, A., Hodgson, D., & Cann, M. (2006). Regulation of prokaryotic adenylyl cyclases by CO₂. Biochemical Journal, 396(2), 215-218. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj20060372
• Synthesis and characterisation of highly emissive and kinetically stable lanthanide complexes suitable for usage 'in cellulo'
  Poole, R., Bobba, G., Cann, M., Frias, J., Parker, D., & Peacock, R. (2005). Synthesis and characterisation of highly emissive and kinetically stable lanthanide complexes suitable for usage 'in cellulo'. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 3(6), 1013-1024. https://doi.org/10.1039/b418964g
• Bicarbonate stimulated adenylyl cyclases
  Cann, M. (2004). Bicarbonate stimulated adenylyl cyclases. IUBMB Life, 56(9), 529-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/15216540400013861
• Design, synthesis and evaluation of ratiometric probes for hydrogencarbonate based on europium emission
  Bretonniere, Y., Cann, M., Parker, D., & Slater, R. (2004). Design, synthesis and evaluation of ratiometric probes for hydrogencarbonate based on europium emission. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 2(11), 1624-1632. https://doi.org/10.1039/b400734b
• Signalling through cyclic nucleotide monophosphates in cyanobacteria
  Cann, M. (2004). Signalling through cyclic nucleotide monophosphates in cyanobacteria. New Phytologist, 161(23-34),
• A defined subset of adenylyl cyclases is regulated by bicarbonate ion
  Cann, M., Hammer, A., Zhou, J., & Kanacher, T. (2003). A defined subset of adenylyl cyclases is regulated by bicarbonate ion. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278(37), 35033-35038. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m303025200
• Signalling through cyclic nucleotide monophosphates in cyanobacteria
  Cann, M. (2003). Signalling through cyclic nucleotide monophosphates in cyanobacteria. New Phytologist, 161, 23-34
• Luminescent nonacoordinate cationic lanthanide complexes as potential cellular imaging and reactive probes
  Frias, J., Bobba, G., Cann, M., Hutchison, C., & Parker, D. (2003). Luminescent nonacoordinate cationic lanthanide complexes as potential cellular imaging and reactive probes. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 1(6), 905-907
• Ratiometric probes for hydrogencarbonate analysis in intracellular or extracellular environments using europium luminescence
  Bretonnière, Y., Cann, M., Parker, D., & Slater, R. (2002). Ratiometric probes for hydrogencarbonate analysis in intracellular or extracellular environments using europium luminescence. Chemical Communications, 2002(17), 1930-1931. https://doi.org/10.1039/b206286k
• Identification of transmembrane adenylyl cyclase isoforms
  Cann, M., & Levin, L. (2002). Identification of transmembrane adenylyl cyclase isoforms
• Soluble adenylyl cyclase as an evolutionarily conserved bicarbonate sensor.
  Chen, Y., Cann, M., Litvin, T., Iourgenko, V., Sinclair, M., Levin, L., & Buck, J. (2000). Soluble adenylyl cyclase as an evolutionarily conserved bicarbonate sensor. Science, 289(5479), 625-628. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.289.5479.625
• A new family of adenylyl cyclase genes in the male germline of Drosophila melanogaster.
  Cann, M., Chung, E., & Levin, L. (2000). A new family of adenylyl cyclase genes in the male germline of Drosophila melanogaster. Development Genes and Evolution, 210(4), 200-206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004270050304
• Restricted expression of a truncated adenylyl cyclase in the cephalic furrow of Drosophila melanogaster
  Cann, M., & Levin, L. (2000). Restricted expression of a truncated adenylyl cyclase in the cephalic furrow of Drosophila melanogaster. Development Genes and Evolution, 210(1), 34-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/pl00008186
• Cytosolic adenylyl cyclase defines a unique signaling molecule in mammals.
  Buck, J., Sinclair, M., Schapal, L., Cann, M., & Levin, L. (1999). Cytosolic adenylyl cyclase defines a unique signaling molecule in mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 96(1), 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.96.1.79
• Genetic characterization of adenylyl cyclase function
  Cann, M., & Levin, L. (1998). Genetic characterization of adenylyl cyclase function. Advances in second messenger and phosphoprotein research, 32, 121-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1040-7952%2898%2980008-6
• Cloning and characterization of a Drosophila adenylyl cyclase homologous to mammalian type IX.
  Iourgenko, V., Kliot, B., Cann, M., & Levin, L. (1997). Cloning and characterization of a Drosophila adenylyl cyclase homologous to mammalian type IX. FEBS Letters, 413(11), 104-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0014-5793%2897%2900891-0