Bio- and eco-corona related to plants: Understanding the formation and biological effects of plant protein coatings on nanoparticles

Environ Pollut. 2023 Jan 15:317:120784. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120784. Epub 2022 Nov 30.

Abstract

The thriving nano-enabled agriculture facilitates the interaction of nanomaterials with plants. Recently, these interactions and their biological effects are receiving increasing attention. Upon entering plants via leaves, roots, stems, and other organs, nanoparticles adsorb numerous biomolecules inside plants and form bio-corona. In addition, nanoparticles that enter plants through roots may have formed eco-corona with root exudates in the rhizosphere environment before contacting with plant exogenous proteins. The most significant biological effects of plant protein corona include changes in protein structure and function, as well as changes in nanoparticle toxicity and targeting ability. However, the mechanisms, particularly how protein corona affects plant protein function, plant development and growth, and rhizosphere environment properties, require further investigation. Our review summarizes the current understanding of the formation and biological effects of nanoparticle-plant protein corona and provides an outlook on future research.

Keywords: Bio-corona; Eco-corona; Nanoparticle; Plant; Protein corona.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins
  • Protein Corona* / chemistry
  • Protein Corona* / metabolism

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Protein Corona