Key enzyme in the regulation of glycerol uptake and metabolism. Required for resistance to nonhost Pseudomonas bacteria and to the pathogenic fungus B.cinerea. ATP + glycerol = ADP + H(+) + sn-glycerol 3-phosphate Polyol metabolism; glycerol degradation via glycerol kinase pathway; sn-glycerol 3-phosphate from glycerol: step 1/1. A number of isoforms are produced. According to EST sequences. Highly expressed in germinating seeds and senescent leaves, and at lower levels in roots, leaves, flowers and siliques. By the bacterial pathogens P.syringae pv. phaseolicola, pv. syringae, pv. tomato and pv. tabaci, and flagellin. No visible phenotype under normal growth conditons, but mutant plants accumulate high levels of glycerol, can grow on synthetic medium containing glycerol and have increased resistance to salt, cold, osmotic and drought stresses. Belongs to the FGGY kinase family.