The adsorption of biomolecules to the surface of engineered nanomaterials, known as corona formation, defines their biological identity by altering their surface properties and transforming the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the particles. In the first decade since the term protein corona was coined, studies have focused primarily on biomedical applications and human toxicity. The relevance of the environmental dimensions of the protein corona is still emerging. Often referred to as the eco-corona, a biomolecular coating forms upon nanomaterials as they enter the environment and may include proteins, as well as a diverse array of other biomolecules such as metabolites from cellular activity and/or natural organic matter. Proteins remain central in studies of eco-coronas because of the ease of monitoring and structurally characterizing proteins, as well as their crucial role in receptor engagement and signalling. The proteins within the eco-corona are optimal targets to establish the biophysicochemical principles of corona formation and transformation, as well as downstream impacts on nanomaterial uptake, distribution and impacts on the environment. Moreover, proteins appear to impart a biological identity, leading to cellular or organismal recognition of nanomaterials, a unique characteristic compared with natural organic matter. We contrast insights into protein corona formation from clinical samples with those in environmentally relevant systems. Principles specific to the environment are also explored to gain insights into the dynamics of interaction with or replacement by other biomolecules, including changes during trophic transfer and ecotoxicity. With many challenges remaining, we also highlight key opportunities for method development and impactful systems on which to focus the next phase of eco-corona studies. By interrogating these environmental dimensions of the protein corona, we offer a perspective on how mechanistic insights into protein coronas in the environment can lead to more sustainable, environmentally safe nanomaterials, as well as enhancing the efficacy of nanomaterials used in remediation and in the agri-food sector.

生物分子吸附到工程纳米材料的表面，称为电晕形成，通过改变它们的表面特性和改变粒子的物理、化学和生物特性来定义它们的生物特性。自从蛋白质电晕一词被创造以来的第一个十年里，研究主要集中在生物医学应用和人体毒性上。蛋白质电晕的环境维度的相关性仍在出现。通常被称为生态日冕，生物分子涂层在纳米材料进入环境时形成，可能包括蛋白质，以及各种其他生物分子，例如细胞活动和/或天然有机物的代谢物。由于易于监测和结构表征蛋白质，以及它们在受体参与和信号传导中的关键作用，蛋白质仍然是生态冠状研究的核心。生态日冕中的蛋白质是建立日冕形成和转化的生物物理化学原理以及纳米材料吸收、分布和对环境影响的下游影响的最佳目标。此外，蛋白质似乎赋予了生物特性，导致细胞或有机体识别纳米材料，这是与天然有机物相比的独特特征。我们将临床样本中的蛋白质电晕形成与环境相关系统中的蛋白质电晕形成进行了对比。还探索了特定于环境的原理，以深入了解与其他生物分子相互作用或被其他生物分子替代的动力学，包括营养转移和生态毒性期间的变化。面对许多挑战，我们还强调了方法开发的关键机遇和有影响力的系统，将重点放在下一阶段的生态日冕研究上。通过审视蛋白质电晕的这些环境维度，我们提供了一个视角，即对环境中蛋白质电晕的机制洞察如何导致更可持续、对环境安全的纳米材料，以及提高用于修复和农业的纳米材料的功效。食品部门。我们还强调了方法开发的关键机会和有影响力的系统，将重点放在下一阶段的生态电晕研究上。通过审视蛋白质电晕的这些环境维度，我们提供了一个视角，即对环境中蛋白质电晕的机制洞察如何导致更可持续、对环境安全的纳米材料，以及提高用于修复和农业的纳米材料的功效。食品部门。我们还强调了方法开发的关键机会和有影响力的系统，将重点放在下一阶段的生态电晕研究上。通过审视蛋白质电晕的这些环境维度，我们提供了一个视角，即对环境中蛋白质电晕的机制洞察如何导致更可持续、对环境安全的纳米材料，以及提高用于修复和农业的纳米材料的功效。食品部门。