Kainate (KA) receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system. They have a prominent effect on modulation of excitatory signaling between sensory neurons in the central nervous system and peripheral neurons. With the advances on the functional regulation mechanism of KA receptors, many interacting proteins related to the function of KA receptor have been identified playing important roles in pain signaling transmission. The discovery of these proteins opens a new door to further elucidate the role of the KA receptor in pain. This review covers the kainate receptor function, distribution in the nervous system, especially brain regions related to pain signaling transmission and its mechanism in regulation of pain sensing. In this review, the role of KA receptor in synaptic plasticity and pain sensitization is deeply discussed for understanding the functional regulation mechanism of KA receptor.