Glycerol kinase catalyzes the formation of glycerol 3 phosphate from ATP and glycerol. Dihydroxyacetone and L glyceraldehyde can also act as acceptors; UTP and, in the case of the yeast enzyme, ITP and GTP can act as donors. It provides a way for glycerol derived from fats or glycerides to enter the glycolytic pathway. NB - Glycerol kinase obtained from Cellulomonas spp has an observed molecular weight of 128kDa.
