Catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of maltose to maltose 1-phosphate. It uses ATP, GTP and UTP as phosphate donors with comparable but decreasing efficiency. Is probably involved in a branched alpha-glucan biosynthetic pathway from trehalose, together with TreS, GlgE and GlgB. ATP + D-maltose = ADP + alpha-maltose 1-phosphate + H(+) Inhibited by glycerol and zinc ions. Optimum pH is between 7 and 9. The enzyme is active between pH 6 and 11. Optimum temperature is 60 degrees Celsius. The enzyme is active between 20 and 65 degrees Celsius. Glycan biosynthesis; glycogen biosynthesis. Monomer. Belongs to the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase family.