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 an Associate Scientist, Dr. Beutler oversees the Program's high-throughput screening libraries, information technology, and drug development efforts.

Areas of Expertise
1) 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 560-1, Room 11-86
Frederick, MD 21702-1201
Ph: 301-846-1942
beutlerj@mail.nih.gov
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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

  1. 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 ]
  2. 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 ]
  3. 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 ]
  4. 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 ]
  5. 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
Marshall Darby Werner Kirsten Student Intern
Esra Eroglu Ozkan Ph.D. Guest Researcher
Ekaterina I. Goncharova Ph.D. Scientific Programmer Analyst (DMS)
Cheryl Thomas B.S. Research Chemist
Dongdong Wang Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow (Visiting)
Laila Espindola
Laila Espindola Darvenne Special Volunteer 2014-2015

Investigation of plants from the Brazilian cerrado for anticancer properties.
Professor at University of Brasilia.

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Marcos da Cunha
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.

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Namki Cho Visiting Fellow 2014-2016

Current status: Kinston lab, Virginia Tech
Krishna Devkota photo
Krishna Devkota Visiting Fellow 2010-2013

Research on Szechuan pepper alkamides as potential anticancer agents.
Currently a scientist at Albany Molecular Research Inc.

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Ranjala Ratnayake photo
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.

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