The T-cruzi trans-sialidase induces PC12 cell differentiation via MAPK/ERKpathway

The trans-sialidase (TS) of Tryponosoma cruzi induces survival and differen tiation of neuronal and glial cells. This mechanism underlying survival is via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) but how TS promotes neuronal diffe rentiation remained to be determined. Here we show that TS-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells is through sustained activation of the mitogen-acti vated protein kinase or ERK cascade and, therefore, by a signaling mechanis m distinct from the one it uses to induce cell survival. Such differential activation of signal pathways in neuronal cells to effectuate diverse biolo gical activities is analogous to the action of authentic neurotrophins and other growth factors, thereby reinforcing the novel concept of T. cruzi mim icry of host neurotrophic factor(s). NeuroReport 12:3715-3718 (C) 2001 Lipp incott Williams & Wilkins.