Abstract:中国微生物学会地质微生物学专业委员会第八届地质微生物学研讨会于2019年6月13-15日在青岛举行，来自国内外127所高校和科研院所的600余位专家学者齐聚此次会议，围绕地质微生物学领域相关的最新研究进展进行了深入交流和研讨。为展示与会学者的部分最新研究成果，特组织这期地质微生物专刊。
本期《微生物学报》专刊以地质微生物学为主题，选取了第八届地质微生物学学术会议报导的地质微生物学研究新技术、极端环境微生物、微生物与元素生物地球化学循环、微生物-矿物相互作用、地质微生物应用、以及环境微生物生态与进化等领域的19篇文章，与读者共享。在“地质微生物学研究新技术”专栏，提出了单细胞拉曼光谱在研究代谢过程、分选活细胞以及揭示细胞对物质利用等方面的应用前景；在“极端环境微生物”专栏，报导了贵州兴义喀斯特洞穴中的微生物多样性及抗菌活性，综述了嗜盐菌中甘氨酸甜菜碱的合成途径及其生物学功能；在“微生物与元素生物地球化学循环”专栏，报导了海洋异养细菌、好氧甲烷氧化耦合反硝化细菌、与农田土壤中丛枝菌根真菌-根际细菌及其在碳氮磷循环过程中作用，综述了海洋氮循环过程及基于基因组代谢网络模型预测研究进展、以及湖泊微生物参与硝化、反硝化与硫循环过程的研究进展；在“微生物-矿物相互作用”专栏，报导了铁还原菌与砷还原菌与矿物相互作用及其对元素循环的影响；在“地质微生物应用”专栏，报导了典型油气藏上方土壤甲烷氧化菌群落特征及其勘探意义与煤灰分和无机矿物对生物产气的影响；在“环境微生物生态与进化”专栏，报导了我国南海、东海与黄河三角洲沉积物微生物群落结构特征，综述了候选门级辐射类群（CPR）细菌与古菌ESCRT系统研究进展。
希望通过本专刊，进一步扩大地质微生物学在国内的影响、并促进地质微生物学相关学科的发展和融合。

Abstract:Raman microscopy is a technique that provides information on the chemical structure of materials within a spatial resolution of 0.5 to 1 μm. In recent years, Raman microspectroscopy, which can quickly and non-destructively detect characteristic chemical components in single cells, has been increasingly applied to microbiology. The Raman spectrum of a typical microbial cell contains information on nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and pigments (e.g. carotenoids) that characterize the genotype, phenotype, and physiological state of the microbial cells. Therefore, single-cell Raman microscopy is a “full bio-fingerprint” technique that can be used to distinguish different microbes. Raman microspectroscopy can be used to study the transformation of individual microbial cell life stages, identify changes in pigments and other compounds in single microbial cells. This paper reviews the current applications of Raman microspectroscopy on the study of microbiology at single cell level. Its combination with stable isotope probing (SIP), Raman imaging, spectral classification and cell sorting techniques that used to explore the microbial classifications and the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes, were also discussed in this paper. Collectively, Raman microspectroscopy is a promising method in the studies of cell sorting and metabolic analysis at single cell level.

Abstract:[Objective] To investigate the diversity of culturable actinobacteria of samples from karst cave in Xingyi county of Guizhou province and analyze their ability of production of secondary metabolites. [Methods] The spread plate method was used to obtain the diversity of culturable actinobacteria from different type karst cave samples (sediment and rock) with many kinds of media. Three ferments media were selected to detect the production of secondary metabolite compounds of these culturable actinobacteria. [Results] Through the comparative analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences similarities, we obtained a total of 251 isolates belonging to 44 genera, among of which the genera Streptomyces, Micromonospora, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium and Nocardia were the dominant actinobacterial group, and the proportion of them were 24.30%, 11.95%, 9.16%, 7.17% and 6.37%, respectively. During the analysis of production of bioactivity of secondary metabolite compounds, 35 isolates showed the bioactivity to the indicator pathogen bacteria, among of which were main from the genera Streptomyces and Micromonospora. [Conclusion] The results indicated that there were richness actinobacterial resources in the karst cave niche in southwest of Guizhou, and much more isolates had the ability to produce secondary metabolite compounds, which would become potential species for the pharmaceutical industry, and hence it had the most value for further exploration and research.

Abstract:Glycine betaine (i.e. trimethylglycine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine) plays a crucial role in halophilic microorganisms subjected to the long-term salt-stress and short-term salt-exposure. Two separate biosynthetic pathways of glycine betaine: the oxidation of choline and the methylation from glycine were found. The former is choline dehydrogenase (BetA) and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BetB) using choline as substrate by two oxidization; the latter contains three reactions by N-methylation catalyzed with glycine sarcosine N-methyltransferase (GSMT) and sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT). The genome sequences of 134 halophilic type strains were obtained online in both JGI-IMG and EZBiocloud. Approximate 56.0% of halophilic bacteria and 39.6% of halophilic archaea harbors two genes of choline oxidation. About 9.7% of halophilic bacteria and 0.7% halophilic archaea possess two genes of methylation from glycine. Among them, 8 halophilic bacteria have the genes for both choline oxidation and glycine methylation. The expression of the biosynthesis genes of glycine betaine in model microorgainsms or crops can improve their ability to resist salt torlerence. This unique feature derived from the glycine betaine has attracted scientists’ strongly interest and their emergence in modern biotechnology. In the future, the scientific theory and practical application derived from of the biosynthesis of glycine betaine in halophiles must have a significant impact.

Abstract:[Objective] Refractory dissolved organic carbon (RDOC) is the main component of marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool, which persists in the ocean for thousands of years, and is an important form of marine carbon sequestration. However, there is no consistent protocol for RDOC quantification. RDOC can be quantified by measuring the amount of biodegraded dissolved organic carbon (BDOC). [Methods] We performed quality control experiments to evaluate crucial steps during BDOC quantification, such as the effect of membrane and filtration methods on DOC contamination, and the effect of incubation volume and dilution on DOC utilization. [Results] Results show that (1) GF/F, GF-75, 0.2-μm polytetrafluoroethylene, 0.2-μm polycarbonate membranes and 0.2-μm polytetrafluoroethylene filter did not induce DOC contamination; the performance of vacuum and gravity filtration were relatively contamination-free and more stable than on-line filtration; (2) incubation ranged 30 mL to 480 mL (area-to-volume ratios:1.64-0.67 cm^-1) showed no significant difference in terms of bacterial growth rate and DOC utilization; and (3) dilution had obvious effects on bacterial growth rate, biomass accumulation, and the amount of the DOC used. [Conclusion] Taken together, it is recommended to use the vacuum filtration and non-diluted incubation in BDOC bioassay; and the commonly used filter membranes and incubation volume may not affect BDOC quantification. Furthermore, we proposed a protocol for measuring RDOC based on this work.

Abstract:[Objective] This research is to analyze the effects of methane concentration, temperature and nitrogen concentration on the aerobic methane coupled to denitrification (AME-D) ultimate denitrification system, the microbial communities in this AME-D system, and the application of this system into the tail water of a sewage treatment plant in Guiyang, China. [Methods] The effects of methane concentration, temperature, and nitrogen concentration on the nitrogen removal efficiency of this system were studied in staged experiments. The microbial community in the system was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, and changes of the wastewater water quality were analyzed by confocal micro-Raman spectrometer. [Results] With the methane intake ratio of 3%, and the nitrogen concentration of 20 mg/L at 30 ℃, the average removal rates of total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen in the system reached high up to 93.66%, 96.13% and 92.25%, respectively; The dominant methanotrophs in this system were Methylosarcina (1.84%), Methylovulum (0.01%) and Crenothrix (0.14%); the facultative methanotrophs was Methylocystis (1.9%); and the dominant nitroso-bacteria were Nitrosomonas (0.008%), nitrifying bacteria were Nitrospira (0.42%), and denitrifying bacteria were Hyphomicrobium (1.19%) and Pseudomonas (0.61%). Applying this system into the tail water of a sewage treatment plant in Guiyang, the average total nitrogen concentration in the effluent reached 0.96 mg/L, reaching the limit of denitrification. Raman spectrum analysis showed that nitrate nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen can be effective removed in this system. Intermediate products of the oxidized methanotrophs could be alcohols or aldehydes, which can provide the required carbon source for denitrifying bacteria. [Conclusion] AME-D ultimate denitrification was realized by the synergy of microorganisms, including functional microorganisms like methanotrophs, nitroso-bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria. Research results also exhibited great potential of this system applied into the urban sewage treatment.

Abstract:Soil microbes are important drivers of nutrient cycling in soil-crop system. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities are reported to promote plant nitrogen and phosphorus utilization, especially under adversity stress. [Objective] The aim of this study is to explore the cross-kingdom microbial network between AMF and rhizosphere bacterial communities, and disentangle the potential keystones related to nutrient utilization. [Methods] Illumina sequencing and CoNet were used to construct the microbial network, and partial redundancy analysis and correlation analysis was used to explore potential keystones. [Results] Positive associations were dominant between AMF and rhizosphere bacteria in the three soil types. The interactions between AMF and bacterial communities varied in the three soils types. Cross-kingdom interactions were highest in Acrisol, mainly between Glomus and Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. And in Phaeozem the interactions were mainly intra-kingdom interactions among rhizosphere bacteria. The microbial taxa that significantly correlated with nutrient utilization were species from Glomus, Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. [Conclusion] The positive interrelationship between AMF and rhizosphere bacteria in typical dryland soil has a potential promotion effect on the utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus. The role of keystones in Acrisol with relatively low organic matters and nutrient may be more important.

Abstract:The marine nitrogen cycling is one major component in Earth’s element cycle. The marine nitrogen cycling is a biochemical process composed of a series of redox reactions. Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen assimilation supplies critical bioavailable nitrogen (ammonium) to ecosystems. Nitrification can further convert ammonium into nitrates, while denitrification can convert nitrate into nitrogen. Different nitrogen forms are converted through the nitrogen cycle in the ocean. Studying marine nitrogen cycling could help understand the mechanism of interaction and co-evolution between marine organisms and Earth environment. It may also better protect the Earth’s ecological environment. By employing the published genome-scale metabolic network models based on key microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycling, researchers can study the efficiency of different nitrogen cycle processes and their influencing environmental factors, and disclose the mechanism of the nitrogen cycle and biological network, so as to help further study the mechanism of marine nitrogen conversion. This article mainly reviews the main microorganisms involved in each transformation process in the marine nitrogen cycle and applications of genome-scale metabolic network models in the analysis of the nitrogen cycle.

Abstract:Microbially mediated nitrification plays a key role in nitrogen transformation and emission of greenhouse gases N₂O in lacustrine ecosystems. Thus, studying microbial nitrification process and rate in lake environments helps comprehensively understand nitrogen biogeochemical cycle in lacustrine ecosystems and its response to regional and global climate change. This review summarized processes and microbial community compositions of nitrification (including ammonia oxidation, nitrite oxidation and complete ammonia oxidation) in lacustrine ecosystems and their influencing factors. Spotlight was given to the mechanisms and relative contributions of N₂O production through ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria and complete ammonia oxidizing bacteria, followed by summary and prospect on the current situation and future development of nitrification researches in lakes.

Abstract:Microbially mediated denitrification in lacustrine ecosystems has profound impact on regional and even global environment and climate change. Thus, studying lake microbial denitrification process and rate helps us obtain comprehensive understanding of nitrogen biogeochemical cycle in lacustrine ecosystems and its role in the global nitrogen cycle. This review summarizes the denitrification processes, rates and involved microbial community compositions in lacustrine ecosystems and their influencing factors. The covered denitrification processes include typical denitrification processes and those coupled with other elemental cycles including co-denitrification coupled with organic nitrogen, nitrate/nitrite-dependent anaerobic oxidization of methane coupled with carbon cycle, anaerobic nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation coupled with iron cycle, nitrate/nitrite-dependent sulfide oxidation coupled with sulfur cycle. Finally, current researches and future directions related to denitrification processes in lacustrine environments were summarized.

Abstract:Lakes ecosystems respond sensitively to climate and environmental changes, and are hot spots for investigating biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. Lakes (especially saline lakes) are characteristic of high concentration of sulfur compounds and sulfate, leading to active sulfur biogeochemical cycling, which is mainly mediated be microbes. Therefore it is of great importance to exploring microbial roles in lacustrine ecosystems to study sulfur biogeochemical processes and associated microbial communities in lakes. This review summarizes the recent progresses on microbial diversity, functional genes, metabolic pathways and activity involved in sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction in lakes, and their responses to environmental conditions, followed by future research prospect on microbially mediated sulfur cycling in lakes.

Abstract:[Objective] This study was conducted to explore the effect and mechanism of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32, a typical bacterium secretes extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), on the release of clay-sorbed NH₄⁺ in soils. [Methods] The common clay minerals in soil, including smectite, vermiculite, smectite-illite mixlayer mineral and biotite were used for NH₄⁺ sorption and then was inoculated by S. putrefaciens CN32. The contents of clay-sorbed N, dissolved NH₄⁺, the microbial biomass and EPS were monitored to understand the variation of NH₄⁺ release from different types of the clay minerals. [Results] The content of clay-sorbed NH₄⁺ was dependent on clay types, with high to low in smectite > vermiculite > smectite-illite mixlayer mineral (in biotite was too low). With the activity of S. putrefaciens CN32, the percentage of released NH₄⁺ was highest in smectite, followed by in smectite-illite mixlayer mineral and lowest in vermiculite. Although CN32 effectively promoted the release of clay-sorbed NH₄⁺, the released NH₄⁺ did not accumulate in the solution but assimilated by the bacterial cells, which was transformed into bio-organic nitrogen (mainly EPS) and attached on the clay surface. The adsorption of EPS was highest on smectite, followed by smectite-illite mixlayer mineral and vermiculite. FTIR analysis revealed that the adsorption of both NH₄⁺ and EPS on clays were closely associated with the hydroxyl groups in minerals (structural or interlayer water), thus, it is speculated that the competitive adsorption on mineral hydroxyl may be one of the important reasons for stimulated release of NH₄⁺ by CN32. [Conclusion] The results of the present study demonstrated that the EPS-producing S. putrefaciens CN32 can promote the release of clay-sorbed NH₄⁺ from all kinds of clay minerals. The released NH₄⁺ does not necessary to be leached from the soil profile but instead to be transformed into organic nitrogen and increases the bioavailability of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, microorganisms may play an important role in reducing nitrogen loss and easing ammonia pollution from soils. It is important to systematically understand the microbial effects on the migration and transformation of clay-sorbed NH₄⁺ in different types of soils (with different assemble of clay minerals), which serves for the precise prediction of the efficiency and loss risk of nitrogen fertilizers in soils.

Abstract:[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the reductive dissolution of scorodite by an indigenous As-resistant bacterium isolated from the Jianghan plain and the influences of nitrate and sulfate on the mobilization in this microbiological process.[Methods] We used the microbial enrichment technique to isolate a facultative anaerobic arsenate-reducing strain (A11), amplified the 16S rRNA and functional genes (arsenate-reductase gene, thiosulfate reductase gene and nitrate reductase genes) from the bacterial cells, and analyzed arsenate-, ferric iron-, thiosulfate-, and nitrate-reducing activities of this strain. We also examined the abilities of A11 cells to catalyze the mobilization and release of As and Fe from scorodite under anaerobic conditions, and further explored how sulfate and nitrate affected this microbial process. The microbial reduction and dissolution of the scorodite mineral were verified by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. [Results] Citrobacter sp. A11 completely reduced 0.45 mmol/L As(V), 2 mmol/L S₂O₃^2-, 1 mmol/L Fe(III) and 140 mg/L NO₃^- in 4 days, 6 days, 3 days, 28 hours, respectively. In the presence of A11 cells, approximately 33.68 μmol/L As(III) and 51.93 μmol/L Fe(II) were released from the scorodite slurries after 28 days of anaerobic incubations. The presence of sulfate caused 41.04% and 34.30% increases of the A11-catalyzed release of As(III) and Fe(II) over the course of 28 days. However, the addition of nitrate caused 35.07%, 53.46% decreases of the A11-catalyzed release of As(III) and Fe(II), respectively. XRD and SEM-EDS observations for the reduced scorodite revealed that the mineral particles were altered dramatically. The particles size of the treated scorodite was much smaller than the control one. [Conclusion] Citrobacter sp. A11 strain has been identified with the ability of arsenate, thiosulfate, ferric iron and nitrate reduction, also can efficiently catalyze the mobilization and release of As and Fe from scorodite under anaerobic conditions, and this process enhanced when sulfate was added to the reactions. However, this process was inhibited when nitrate was added.

Abstract:[Objective] Methane oxidizing bacteria are important indicators for oil and gas exploration. For example, characteristics of methane-oxidizing bacteria can be used to predict deep oil and gas reservoir. [Methods] We studied the distribution of methane-oxidizing bacteria above typical reservoirs in Shunbei by using molecular biology techniques combined with geochemical hydrocarbon indices. [Results] The copy number of pmoA gene above the oil and gas field was positively correlated with the content of acid-hydrolyzed hydrocarbon, and the oil and gas region was 0.5-2 orders of magnitude higher than the background region. The results of high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and cloning library of pmoA gene showed that the oil reservoir was mainly type I methane oxidizing bacteria in Shunbei, as the distance from the oil field increases, the type I to type II phenomenon of methane oxidizing bacteria exists. The abundance of Methylomonas sp. was quite different in the background area and the oil and gas area. [Conclusion] The characteristics of methane oxidizing bacteria during long-term micro-osmosis of hydrocarbons have certain indications for predicting deep reservoirs, Combining geological profiles and surface hydrocarbons can effectively predict favorable reservoir areas.

Abstract:[Objective] This study focuses on investigating the effects of ash content and minerals in long-flame coal from Daliuta with different density biogas production by simulated gas production experiments with enriched cultures of anaerobic bacteria and archaea. [Methods] Daliuta long-flame coal was separated into different fractions by density with small floating sedimentation. The physiochemical properties of the coal fractions, including proximate analysis, XRD, and XRF were analyzed. These coal fractions were used to conduct biogas production experiments. The methane yield was used as an indicator to evaluate the effect of ash content on gas production in different coal fractions. The effect of minerals in coal was also investigated by amendments of commercial-grade minerals. [Results] It appears that the effects of ash content in coal on gas production is significant (P=0.035). i.e., ash content is negatively correlated to the methane yield. Moreover, minerals such as kaolin, siderite, and ferrous magnesium oxide in the ash could suppress gas production. Experiments with different mineral ratios confirmed that gas production was prominent with low content of clay minerals and restricted with high content of clay minerals. [Conclusion] The ash content of coals of different density generally has a significant effect on biogas production. The methane yield was low for high-ash coal and high for low-ash coal.

Abstract:Iron-reducing bacteria can reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II) by using the extracellular Fe(III) as a terminal electron acceptor and oxidizing organic compounds. The iron reduction widely occurs in soils, rivers, oceans, surface aquifers, and deep petroleum reservoirs at high temperatures and pressures. Anaerobic degradation of organic compounds coupled with Fe(III)-reduction is of great importance to the biogeochemical cycle of iron and carbon. This paper examines a variety of iron-reducing bacteria and their mechanisms. It also summarizes the research and development (R&D) progresses of using iron-reducing bacteria in degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, the potential role of iron-reducing bacteria in bioremediation is also discussed. Finally, some future studies of iron-reducing bacteria are recommended.

Abstract:[Background] Marine microorganisms have a great application potential in developing bioactive substances, but few researches reported so far on microorganisms in the east island of the south China sea. [Methods] Marine culturable bacteria isolated and purified from sediments from Donghai island were identified by morphological observation, physiological and biochemical analysis, and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were used as indicators to determine their antibacterial activities. Based on the study on bacteriostasis of sediment bacteria, Polyketide synthase I (PKSI) gene was screened for strains with bacteriostasis activity, and amino acid sequence alignment of PKSI positive bacteria was performed. PKSI positive representative strain was selected to test the stability of the strain and its fermentation bacteriostasis. [Results] In total 25 bacteria were isolated and purified, belonging to 9 genera: Acinetobacter, Alteromonas, Bacillus, Psychrobacter, Pseudoalteromonas, Oceanimonas, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Marinobacter. Through the screening of bacteriostatic activity and PKSI gene, 6 strains had bacteriostatic activity, and their bacteriostatic substances all contained ketone compounds. It was speculated that DHD-15 and DHD-a might contain novel structure of type I polyketide synthase. DHD-15 and DHD-L can grow normally between 15 and 40 ℃, and grow best at 1% salt concentration and pH between 4 and 6 in seawater. [Conclusion] There are relatively rich culture-able bacterial resources in the sediments of Donghai island, south China sea.

Abstract:[Objective] The Yellow River Delta is one of the most important estuary wetland ecosystems in the world. Suaeda glauca (SG), Glycine soja and Phragmites australis (GP) are three typical plants that play important roles in the ecosystem of this region. In this work, we compared the microbial community composition and functional genes of the rhizosphere soils of these typical halophytes with those of bulk soil of the barren wetland (BW) along the saline gradient in the Yellow River Delta. [Methods] Metagenome sequencing was used to analyze the composition and abundance of the microbial communities. COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analyses were used to determine the functional gene annotation of the predicted genes. [Results] The results demonstrated that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in all samples. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the rhizosphere soils of SG and GP was 28.8% and 10.6% greater than that of the BW, respectively. In addition, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes were detected as abundant species in the three samples. Sinorhizobium was an abundant species in the GP sample and may be responsible for nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere soils. Sequence annotation indicated that the number of the predicted functional genes of BW was higher than that of SG and GP. Among them, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism genes were abundant in the three samples. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that different plants and soils have a coordinated effect on the soil microbial communities of the Yellow River Delta, and provided valuable insights on microbial resilience and their potential application on bioremediation of the coastal zone saline-alkali soils.

Abstract:The Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) is a proposed subdivision within the bacterial domain comprising of many candidate phyla which are widespread in multiple kinds of environments. CPR microorganisms are ideal objects to explore bacteria evolution and symbiotic lifestyle. CPR has several unique characteristics, such as small genome size, extreme small physical sizes, hard to cultivate, lacking of several metabolic enzymes including electron transport chain components and tricarboxylic acid cycle, and deep branches within the bacterial subtree of life. Most of CPR members are identified by metagenome sequencing technology and TM7 isolate UB2523 from human oral cavity was the first cultivated CPR member. In this review, we summarized the CPR discovery process, morphological and genomic characteristics, recognized roles in carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling, and the cultivation-independent strategies in CPR research area. As well, future expectations for CPR-driven element cycling in ecosystem and CPR-Host symbionts are indicated.

Abstract:Endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) system, once it was considered to be a unique functional system of eukaryotic cells, involving many important cell life processes, such as membrane remodeling and ubiquitinated protein cargo sorting. Recent studies show that Cdv (cell division) system in TACK (Thaumarchaeota, Aigarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, and Korarchaeota) archaeal superphylum, which related to the membrane remodeling processes, such as secretory membrane vesicles, archaea virus exocytosis, and cell division. The Cdv system subunits, CdvB and CdvC, are the homologous protein of eukaryotic ESCRT-III and Vps4, which recommends eukaryotic ESCRT-III may be originated from archaea. However, this hypothesis is in debatable because of Cdv lack of other key components of eukaryotic ESCRTs. Until recently, the members of Asgard archaea superphylum, which is considered to be the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, have been annotated relatively complete ESCRT-related proteins in their genomes. It is great interesting if the biological functions of ESCRT system in Asgard archaea are similar with eukaryotic ESCRT system, as it will provide strong evidence to support that eukaryotic ESCRT system may originate from archaea, thus supporting the two-domains theory. In this review, we first briefly introduce the composition and biological functions of eukaryotic ESCRT system, then summarize the composition and biological functions of archaea ESCRT system, especially focus on Sulfolobus and Asgard archaea, thus providing a foundation for understanding the relationship between archaeal ESCRT system and the origin of eukaryotes.