KCTD10 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma by triggering the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective: Our previous study found KCTD10 negatively regulates Notch signaling, but whether KCTD10 regulates human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carcinogenicity was uncertain.

Methods: We used lentivirus infection to regulate KCTD10 expression in HCC cell lines, then monitored tumor sphere formation rate, cell migration, and tumorigenicity, cancer stem cell (CSC) biomarkers and Notch signaling variation.

Results: Down-regulation of KCTD10 in HCC cell lines (Hep3B and MHCC97H) enhanced the expression of CSC marker genes, promoted self-renewal and tumorigenic ability, and increased the CD133 cell population.