KV3.1 is a member of the voltage-gated K+ channel superfamily. Together with the related proteins KV3.2, KV3.3 and KV3.4 they constitute the Shaw type subfamily family.As with all KV channels, KV3.1 possesses the signature structure of the voltage-dependent K+ channels: six membrane-spanning domains with intracellular N and C termini. The functional Kv channel is a tetramer that can either be a homomer or a heteromer of KV3 subunits.KV3 subfamily members inactivate very rapidly and therefore are thought to play a role in the repolarization of action potentials and to facilitate repetitive high frequency firing.
