KCNC2

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily C member 2 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNC2 is_associated_with::gene. The is_associated_with::protein encoded by this gene is a is_associated_with::voltage-gated potassium channel subunit (Kv3.2).

Expression pattern
Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 channels are prominently expressed in is_associated_with::neurons that fire at high frequency. Kv3.2 channels are prominently expressed in brain (fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons of the is_associated_with::neocortex, is_associated_with::hippocampus, and is_associated_with::caudate nucleus; terminal fields of thalamocortical projections), and in is_associated_with::retinal ganglion cells.

Physiological role
Kv3.1/Kv3.2 conductance is necessary and kinetically optimized for high-frequency action potential generation. Sometimes in heteromeric complexes with Kv3.1; important for the high-frequency firing of fast spiking GABAergic interneurons and retinal ganglion cells; and GABA release via regulation of action potential duration in presynaptic terminals.

Pharmacological properties
Kv3.2 currents in heterologous systems are highly sensitive to external is_associated_with::tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) (IC50 values are 0.1 mM for both of the drugs). This can be useful in identifying native channels.

Transcript variants
There are four transcript variants of Kv3.2 gene: Kv3.2a, Kv3.2b, Kv3.2c, Kv3.2d. Kv3.2 isoforms differ only in their C-terminal sequence.