Action of cyclic nucleotides on protein and RNA synthesis in the thyroid.

Thyrotrophin (TSH) regulates the biosynthesis of thyroid protein and RNA. This action is mediated by adenylate cyclase and cycl 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 tha variations observed in the RNA fraction, supporting the view that cyclic nucleotides may regulate RNA by modulating the nucleotide precursors pool. Cyclic CMP in concentrations between 0.35 to 1.5 mM progressively decreased the RNA labelling, and the values of the PCA soluble radioactivity again followed those of RNA. Furthermore, cyclic CMP also blocked the in vitro stimulatory action of cyclic AMP on the incorporation of [3H]leucine into protein, and of [3H]uridine into RNA. The present results provide the first information on the action of cyclic AMP on RNA synthesis and suggest that negative signals may also play a part in the regulation of thyroid function.