CBR antimicrobials alter coupling between the bridge helix and the β subunit in RNA polymerase

Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is crucial for cellular gene expression and a validated target for antimicrobial drugs. Here, Malinen et al. explore the effects of the CBR class of RNAP inhibitors on the E. coli RNAP transcription cycle and provide detailed mechanistic insight into their antibacterial action.