Fig. 6. The uncoupling agent ßGA perturbs the morphology of differentiating cells. Floating neurospheres were allowed to differentiate either in the presence of ßGA or DMSO, which was used as solvent of the drug. Both the density and morphology of cells migrating out of the spheres were altered by ßGA (E-H), whereas DMSO alone (A-D) had no effect. Astrocytes were thinner and elongated (F), and oligodendrocytes (G) exhibited reduced cell arborizations compared with cells grown in the presence of DMSO (B,C, respectively). Neurons (H) were mainly round and devoid of processes. In a series of independent experiments, ßGA was added after neurospheres had been allowed to adhere for three days and had formed an outgrowth of differentiated cells(I-L). Under these conditions, ßGA did not alter either the morphology or the viability of the three cell types. Bar, 80 µm (A-C, E-G, I-K); 25 µm (D,H,L).