The Trypanosoma brucei polo-like kinase homologue is an essential morphogenic regulator of the parasite's cytoskeleton. A series of proteomic screens identifies potential TbPLK binding partners and substrates and better illustrates how the kinase functions, yielding novel proteins involved in flagellar positioning.

The Polo-like kinase homologue in Trypanosoma brucei (TbPLK) regulates the assembly of a series of organelles necessary for positioning the parasite's flagellum. An analogue-sensitive strategy is used to acutely and specifically inhibit the kinase with a small molecule, making it possible to identify novel TbPLK functions.