Glycerol kinase

Glycerol kinase is a phosphotransferase enzyme involved in lipolysis.

Glycerol kinase catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate from ATP to glycerol thus forming glycerol phosphate. Adipocytes lack glycerol kinase so they cannot metabolize the glycerol produced during triacyl glycerol degredation. This glycerol is instead shuttled to the liver via the blood where it is:
 * phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to glycerol phosphate
 * converted to DHAP (dihydroxyacetone phosphate) which can participate in glycolysis or gluconeogenesis.