(R)-glycerate + ATP = (2R)-3-phosphoglycerate + ADP + H(+) Divalent metal cations; Mg(2+) and Co(2+) are better than Mn(2+), Fe(2+) or Ca(2+). Inhibited by EDTA, p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate and iodoacetate but not by NaF. Optimum pH is 7.0-7.6. Organic acid metabolism; glycolate degradation; 3-phospho-D-glycerate from glycolate: step 4/4. In glycolate-grown cells but not in glucose-grown cells (at protein level). Loss of glycerate kinase activity. GK1 has a half-life of 92 minutes while GK2 has a half-life of 11 minutes at 49 degrees Celsius. Belongs to the glycerate kinase type-1 family. E.coli has 2 glycerate kinases, GK1 and GK2; it is not clear which gene encodes which enzyme. PubMed:5325263 may be a mix of GK1 and GK2.