Objective:To study the potential ability of ABPP on the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and to preliminarily investigate the activation of ERK1/2 cascade involved. Methods:By cell culture in the low-concentration of serum,the morphological changes of PC12 cells treated with ABPP at different concentration(0.25,0.50,1.00 μg/ml) were detected. Fluorescent immunocytochemistry was performed to examine the expression of NF-H in differentiated PC12 cells induced by 1.0 μg/ml ABPP. Western blot was performed to detect the acitvities of ERK1/2 in PC12 cells activated by 1.0 μg/ml ABPP for different periods(0 h,6 h,12 h,1 d,2 d,3 d and 7 d) and by different concentrations(0.25,0.50,1.00 μg/ml) of ABPP for 2 days co-cultured with activated(diphosphorylated ERK1/2) antibody and mitogen activated protein kinase(MAP Kinase,MAPK,ERK-1 & ERK-2)antibody. Results:After 3 days treated with ABPP(0.25,0.50,1.00 μg/ml),PC12 cells started to present neuron morphology characteristics. As time went on,the number of the differentiated PC12 cells increased. At the 7th day the differentiated PC12 cells produced the neurite network and at the 14th day the phenomena became more obvious. It showed that ABPP promoted the differentiation of PC12 by in a dose-dependent manner. ABPP activated ERK1/2 in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner and a time-dependent manner,with the best concentration of 1.0 μg/ml for 2 days. PD98059 significantly inhibited ABPP-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Conclusion:ABPP could induce the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells through ERK1/2 pathways.