Kainate receptors are important members of the glutamate receptor family, primarily including the GluK1 to GluK5 subtypes. These receptors are typically present as tetramers, mainly located on the pre- and postsynaptic membranes of neurons. Kainate receptors are involved in regulating important biological processes such as fast synaptic transmission, neuronal plasticity, and cell survival. They influence intracellular signaling by activating specific signaling pathways, such as calcium ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors. The expression of these receptors is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated, and mutations in their genes are associated with various neurological disorders, including epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.