In eukaryotes, membrane contact sites ( MCS ) allow direct communication between organelles. Plants have evolved a unique type of MCS , inside intercellular pores, the plasmodesmata, where endoplasmic reticulum ( ER )–plasma membrane ( PM ) contacts coincide with regulation of cell‐to‐cell signalling. The molecular mechanism and function of membrane tethering within plasmodesmata remain unknown. Here, we show that the multiple C2 domains and transmembrane region protein ( MCTP ) family, key regulators of cell‐to‐cell signalling in plants, act as ER ‐ PM tethers specifically at plasmodesmata. We report that MCTP s are plasmodesmata proteins that insert into the ER via their transmembrane region while their C2 domains dock to the PM through interaction with anionic phospholipids. A Atmctp3/Atmctp4 loss of function mutant induces plant developmental defects, impaired plasmodesmata function and composition, while MCTP 4 expression in a yeast Δtether mutant partially restores ER ‐ PM tethering. Our data suggest that MCTP s are unique membrane tethers controlling both ER ‐ PM contacts and cell‐to‐cell signalling.

The tripartite multidrug efflux system MexAB-OprM is a major actor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance by exporting a large variety of antimicrobial compounds. Crystal structures of MexB and of its Escherichia coli homolog AcrB had revealed asymmetric trimers depicting a directional drug pathway by a conformational interconversion (from Loose and Tight binding pockets to Open gate (LTO) for drug exit). It remains unclear how MexB acquires its LTO form. Here by performing functional and cryo-EM structural investigations of MexB at various stages of the assembly process, we unveil that MexB inserted in lipid membrane is not set for active transport because it displays an inactive LTC form with a Closed exit gate. In the tripartite complex, OprM and MexA form a corset-like platform that converts MexB into the active form. Our findings shed new light on the resistance nodulation cell division (RND) cognate partners which act as allosteric factors eliciting the functional drug extrusion.