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

As with all K_V channels, K_V3.2 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.^2,3

K_V3.2 is highly expressed in the brain but has been also detected in peripheral organs such as pancreas and mesenteric artery.

K_V3.2 and K_V3.1 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_V3.2 and K_V3.1 subunits to repolarize action potentials quickly thus minimizing the rate of recovery of sodium channel inactivation.^2,3