Gly3P is readily formed from glycerol by ATP-dependent phosphorylation catalyzed by glycerol kinase, is an important part of glycerol metabolism. Glycerol is generated by digestion of fats. Gly3P plays important roles in two metabolic processes:

1. Conversion of Gly3P to DHAP by the enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase adds glycerol's carbon backbone to the glycolysis or gluconeogenesis pathways.

2. Gly3P is a precursor to triacylglycerols (fats) (see here).