Kainate Receptors in Sensory Neurons: Molecular Identity and Functional Relevance to Pain

Kainate receptors (KARs) are members of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family and possess diverse structural and functional properties that play critical roles in synaptic signaling, plasticity, and neural development. Several KAR subunits are strongly expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons, and while their involvement in pain has been suggested, their precise role remains unclear. This review re-evaluates the roles of KARs in sensory physiology, with a particular focus on pain mechanisms. By combining recent single-cell transcriptomic data from dorsal root ganglia neurons with experimental evidence on KAR diversity, signaling, and function, we highlight how these receptors may shape sensory processing under normal and pathological conditions.