John A. Beutler, Ph.D.

    John A. Beutler, Ph.D.
  
Associate Scientist
Molecular Targets Program
Head, Chemical Diversity Development Section
Dr. Beutler has identified several natural products which have potential for development as cancer drugs, among them, englerins, which are in preclinical development for kidney cancer and Ewing’s sarcoma, schweinfurthins, which are preclinical candidates in glioblastoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and salicylihalamides, of interest in sarcomas. As a Staff Scientist 2, Dr. Beutler oversees the Program's high-throughput screening libraries, information technology, and drug development efforts.
Areas of Expertise1) natural products chemistry, 2) high-throughput screening, 3) molecular pharmacology
        Contact Info          
John A. Beutler, Ph.D.

Center for Cancer Research

National Cancer Institute

Building 576, Room 103

Frederick, MD 21702-1201

Ph: 301-846-1942
beutlerj@mail.nih.gov
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Research
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We are advancing two natural product projects towards the clinic: englerins for kidney cancer and Ewings sarcoma, and schweinfurthins for central nervous system (CNS) tumors and other NF1-dependent conditions. These natural products both have unique mechanisms of action.  In addition, our group builds and maintains the library of chemical diversity with which the Molecular Targets Program conducts high-throughput screening campaigns based on CCR-identified molecular targets.
Scientific Focus Areas: Cancer Biology, Chemical Biology, Molecular Pharmacology, Virology
Selected Key Publications
            Englerin A stimulates PKCθ to inhibit insulin signaling and to simultaneously activate HSF1:  pharmacologically induced synthetic lethality.  
Sourbier C, Scroggins BT, Ratnayake R, Prince TL, Lee S, Lee M, Nagy PL, Lee YH, Trepel JB, Beutler JA, Linehan WM, Neckers L.
                  Cancer Cell.          23:                              228-37,          2013.          [ Journal Article ]  
        Synthesis of a stable and orally bioavailable englerin analogue.  
Fash DM, Peer CJ, Li Z, Talisman IJ, Hayavi S, Sulzmaier FJ, Ramos JW, Sourbier C, Neckers L, Figg WD, Beutler JA, Chain WJ
                  Bioorg Med Chem Lett.          26:                              2641,          2016.          [ Journal Article ]  
        Synthesis and biological evaluation of new (-)-englerin analogues.  
López-Suárez L, Riesgo L, Bravo F, Ransom TT, Beutler JA, Echavarren AM
                  ChemMedChem.          11:                              1003,          2016.          [ Journal Article ]  
        Schweinfurthin A selectively inhibits proliferation and Rho signaling in glioma and neurofibromatosis type 1 tumor cells in a NF1-GRD-dependent manner.  
Turbyville TJ, Gürsel DB, Tuskan RG, Walrath JC, Lipschultz CA, Lockett SJ, Wiemer DF, Beutler JA, Reilly KM.
                  Mol Cancer Ther.          9:                              1234-43,          2010.          [ Journal Article ]  
        Englerin A, a selective inhibitor of renal cancer cell growth, from Phyllanthus engleri.  
Ratnayake R, Covell D, Ransom TT, Gustafson KR, Beutler JA.
                  Org Lett.          11:                              57-60,          2009.          [ Journal Article ]  
B.A., Chemistry, Vassar College, 1972

M.Sc., Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science, 1978

Ph.D., Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science, 1980
Postdoctoral Fellowships:

Northeastern University, 1980-1

Assistant Professor, Auburn University School of Pharmacy, 1981-1983

University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1983-4

            Name          
                  
            Position          
              
            Ekaterina I. Goncharova Ph.D.          
                  
            Scientific Programmer Analyst (DMS)          
              
            Cheryl  Thomas B.S.          
                  
            Research Chemist          
              
            Dongdong  Wang Ph.D.          
                  
            Postdoctoral Fellow (Visiting)          
              
Marshall Darby
Werner Kersten Intern
2017-2018
Currently a University of Maryland undergrad.

Esra Eroglu Ozkan
Special Volunteer
2017-2018
Istanbul University

Laila Espindola Darvenne
Special Volunteer
2014-2015
Investigation of plants from the Brazilian cerrado for anticancer properties.

Professor at University of Brasilia.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Marcos da Cunha
Special Volunteer
2013-2014
Research for Ph.D. on cytotoxic principles of geopropolis from Brazilian stingless bee Melipona scutellaris.

Completed Ph.D. and currently a scientist at Brazliian Biosciences National Lab.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Namki Cho
Visiting Fellow
2014-2016
Current status: Associate Professor, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
formerly with Kingston lab, Virginia Tech

Krishna Devkota
Visiting Fellow
2010-2013
Research on Szechuan pepper alkamides as potential anticancer agents.

Currently a scientist at Albany Molecular Research Inc.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Sett Naing
Werner Kirsten Intern and Summer Student
2012-2013; 2014, 2017
Current position: Virginia CommonWelath University Medical School

Ranjala Ratnayake
Visitng Fellow
2007-2009
Isolation and structure elucidation of englerins.

Currently an Assistant Scientist in the Luesch lab at the University of Florida.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Synthesis and biological assessment of 3,7-dihydroxytropolones
Name	Position
Ekaterina I. Goncharova Ph.D.	Scientific Programmer Analyst (DMS)
Cheryl Thomas B.S.	Research Chemist
Dongdong Wang Ph.D.	Postdoctoral Fellow (Visiting)