Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is known to have various functions such as induction of survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Recently, this factor has also been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in rat ischemic brain. In the present study, we first demonstrated that both G-CSF and G-CSF receptor were expressed in dopaminergic neurons in the adult substantia nigra and mesencephalic cultures, suggesting that G-CSF might exert its neuroprotective effects in dopaminergic neurons. Pretreatment with G-CSF protected dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms showed that the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), but not Janus kinase/signal transducer(s) and activator(s) of transcription (JAK/STAT), was activated following G-CSF treatment. Moreover, G-CSF also increased phosphorylation of Bad, and restored 6-OHDA-induced decrease in Bcl-xL level. The 6-OHDA-caused caspase-3 activation in dopaminergic neurons was inhibited by G-CSF. Inhibition of ERK abrogated G-CSF-mediated Bad phosphorylation, Bcl-xL expression, activated caspase-3 reduction, and the protection of dopaminergic neurons. Taken together, G-CSF prevents dopaminergic neurons from 6-OHDA-induced toxicity via ERK pathway followed by inhibiting the apoptosis-execution process. These results suggest that G-CSF might have a therapeutic potential in Parkinson's disease.