The long chain fatty acyl-CoA ligase (or synthetase) is an enzyme (EC 6.2.1.3) of the ligase family that activates the oxidation of complex fatty acids. Long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase catalyzes the formation of fatty acyl-CoA by a two-step process proceeding through an adenylated intermediate. The enzyme catalyzes the following reaction,
- Fatty acid + CoA + ATP ⇌ Acyl-CoA + AMP + PPi
It is present in all organisms from bacteria to humans. It catalyzes the pre-step reaction for β-oxidation of fatty acids or can be incorporated in phospholipids.