Glycerol kinase 5 (GK5)

Glycerol kinase 5 (GK5) is a protein-coding enzyme and member of the glycerol kinase family that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glycerol to produce sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, a key intermediate in lipid metabolism. GK5 is distinguished by its skin-specific expression—especially in sebaceous glands—and plays a unique regulatory role in lipid homeostasis within the skin. It negatively regulates the proteolytic processing and nuclear localization of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), coordinating local cholesterol and lipid synthesis. GK5 deficiency in mice leads to excessive accumulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and ceramides in the skin, resulting in impaired hair growth (alopecia), demonstrating its importance for skin lipid balance and hair follicle health. Unlike canonical glycerol kinase (GK), GK5's physiological substrate and full structural/functional properties are not yet completely defined, and there is limited evidence linking GK5 directly to therapeutic targeting or known drugs[1][4]. Key context: - GK5 is not the canonical general glycerol kinase (GK, EC 2.7.1.30) but is a paralog with a distinct, primarily skin-specific function and localization[1][4]. - Its molecular family is well-defined as kinases/enzymes, but its therapeutic relevance is emergent and not clearly tied to currently approved drugs or established biomarker use[1][4].

Other names

Glycerol kinase 5GK5GK 5Glycerokinase 5MGC40579ATP:glycerol 3-phosphotransferase 5GLPK5