Pathways Enrichment analysis

Question

[skjobs1234]

Dear All,

I have cluster wise list of genes varies from (4 to 8) numbers. Can I perform the pathway enrichment analysis in such small set of genes. If yes then, how can give the justification? Because less number of genes will give more false positive enrichment and false positive p-value too?

Can any one elaborate this problems?

[jared.andrews07]

I wrote an answer to a different question here that may be helpful in understanding GO enrichment.

As EagleEye said though, 4-8 genes isn't really sufficient for a statistical analysis, and most reviewers will harp on that.

Answer 1

[EagleEye]

This is far too less number for performing enrichment analysis. If it is just 4 to 8 genes, why not provide detailed list of pathways each individual genes are involved rather than performing statistics (enrichment analysis). And 4 to 8 genes means you already narrowed down your genes and there is no point in doing statistics over those narrowed candidates.