Peptide antibiotic that functions through inhibition of the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP). May inhibit transcription by binding in RNAP secondary channel and blocking nucleotide substrates access to the catalytic center. Exhibits potent bacteriocidal activity against a range of Enterobacteriaceae, including several pathogenic E.coli, Salmonella and Shigella strains. Also acts on the cytoplasmic membrane of Salmonella newport, producing alteration of membrane permeability and disruption of the subsequent gradient dissipation, which inhibits several processes essential for cell viability, such as oxygen consumption. Induces bacterial filamentation in susceptible cells in a non-SOS-dependent way, but this phenotype may result from impaired transcription of genes coding for cell division proteins.