A step-by-step protocol based on data mining to explore purinergic signaling in glioblastoma

Over the past few years, transcriptomics has emerged as a pillar for modern scientific research, enabling the comprehensive profiling of gene expression. The availability of large-scale public datasets, such as NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus, International Cancer Genome Consortium, and The Cancer Genome Atlas, has significantly boosted many scientific discoveries. However, to analyze and interpret these vast datasets, sophisticated bioinformatic tools are often necessary. Phantasus is a user-friendly web application designed to streamline gene expression analysis. By integrating data loading, normalization, filtering, enrichment pathways analysis, and principal component analysis, Phantasus enables researchers to promptly investigate and evaluate complex gene expression patterns. This tool simplifies the identification of differentially expressed genes and the discovery of novel biological insights. Here, we demonstrate how Phantasus can be utilized for gene expression analysis in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumour in adults. Specifically, we focus on the role of purinergic signaling, with particular emphasis on the P2RX7 mRNA coding for the P2X7 receptor (P2RX7). To illustrate our proposal, we analyzed the expression of genes related to purinergic signaling in GBM patients stratified by high and low levels of P2RX7 expression. By harnessing Phantasus, researchers can further explore and navigate the nuances of gene regulation and its impact on human health and diseases.