Thyrotrophin (TSH) regulates the biosynthesis of thyroid protein and RNA. This action is mediated by adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP. In the present study the action of cyclic GMP and cyclic CMP was investigated in beef slices. Both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP significantly increased the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA. These effects were blocked by actinomycin D, suggesting that their action is located at a preor at a transcriptional step. The PCA soluble fraction radioactivity followed in parallel with the variations observed in the RNA fraction, supporting the view that cyclic nucleotides may regulate RNA by modulating the nucleotide precursors pool. * Established investigator of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.Abbreviations: TSH: thyrotrophin; TCA: trichloroacetic acid: PCA: perchloric acid; cyclic AMP, GMP and CMP stand for the 3'5' cyclic monophosphate compounds of adenosine, guanosine and cytidine, respectively.