K_V3.1 is a member of the voltage-gated K⁺ channel superfamily. Together with the related proteins K_V3.2, K_V3.3 and K_V3.4 they constitute the Shaw type subfamily family.¹

As with all K_V channels, K_V3.1 possesses the signature structure of the voltage-dependent K⁺ channels: six membrane-spanning domains with intracellular N and C termini. The functional K_v channel is a tetramer that can either be a homomer or a heteromer of K_V3 subunits.

K_V3 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.³

K_V3.1 is highly expressed in the brain but has been also detected in peripheral organs such as lung skeletal muscle and testis.

K_V3.1 and K_V3.2 are highly enriched in neurons that fire at high frequencies, such as fast spiking interneurons of the cortex and hippocampus and neurons in the globus pallidus. Their unusually rapid activation and deactivation rates allow channels containing K_V3.1 and K_V3.2 subunits to repolarize action potentials quickly thus minimizing the rate of recovery of sodium channel inactivation.³

Lack of K_V3.1 channel subunits is mainly responsible for constitutively increased locomotor activity and sleep loss.²