Glycerol kinase

The glycerol kinase ( GK) are more enzymes that phosphorylate glycerol to glycerol-3 -phosphate and thus activate the glycerol degradation or biosynthesis of triglycerides either. The glycerol kinases of vertebrates are homologous. The four paralogous human enzymes are known, and there are of each other isoforms which arise from alternative splicing of mRNA, but not all molecules have enzyme activity. GK are located both on the outer side of the mitochondrial membrane as well as in cytosol. In humans, GK are expressed in liver, kidney and testes. Mutations are known only at the GK gene; the resulting enzyme deficiency is associated with the ( rare hereditary ) Hyperglycerinämie.

In addition, GK found in the intestinal mucosa and lactating mothers.

Overexpression of GK in rats led to changed values ​​in the entire carbon metabolism; So there seems to be more functions for the enzyme.

Catalyzed reaction

ATP ADP ⇒

Glycerol is converted to L- glycerol-3 -phosphate.