By demonstrating that infection-induced miR-126-5p expression ablates JIP-2 and diminishes the cytosolic localisation of JNK1 we provide a mechanism that contributes to constitutive c-Jun phosphorylation, increased MMP9 production and a greater capacity of Theileria-transformed leukocytes to disseminate (Fig 7). This evidence concerns the gene MAPK8IP2 and infection.