The invention provides a target and methods for specific binding and inhibition of RNAP from bacterial species. The invention is directed to a method for identifying agents that bind to a bacterial RNAP homologous RNA-exit-channel amino-acid sequence, comprising preparing a reaction solution comprising the agent to be tested and an entity comprising a bacterial RNAP homologous RNA-exit-channel amino-acid sequence, and detecting presence or amount of binding. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.