Voltage-gated K⁺ (Kv) channel opening repolarizes excitable cells by allowing K⁺ efflux. Over the last two decades, multiple Kv functions in the nervous system have been found to be unrelated to or beyond the immediate control of excitability, such as shaping action potential contours or regulation of inter-spike frequency. These functions include neuronal exocytosis and neurite formation, neuronal cell death, regulation of astrocyte Ca²⁺, glial cell and glioma proliferation. Some of these functions have been shown to be independent of K⁺ conduction, that is, they suggest the non-canonical functions of Kv channels. In this review, we focus on neuronal or glial plasmalemmal Kv channel functions which are unrelated to shaping action potentials or immediate control of excitability. Similar functions in other cell types will be discussed to some extent in appropriate contexts.

电压门控 K ⁺ (Kv) 通道开放通过允许 K ⁺流出来重新极化可兴奋细胞。在过去的二十年中，人们发现神经系统中的多个 Kv 功能与兴奋性的直接控制无关或超出兴奋性的直接控制，例如塑造动作电位轮廓或调节峰间频率。这些功能包括神经元胞吐作用和神经突形成、神经元细胞死亡、星形胶质细胞Ca ²⁺的调节、神经胶质细胞和神经胶质瘤增殖。其中一些函数已被证明与 K ⁺传导无关，也就是说，它们表明了 Kv 通道的非规范函数。在这篇综述中，我们重点关注神经元或神经胶质质膜 Kv 通道功能，这些功能与塑造动作电位或兴奋性的直接控制无关。其他细胞类型中的类似功能将在适当的背景下进行一定程度的讨论。