Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase (null)

Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase is an enzyme (EC 6.2.1.3) critical for fatty acid metabolism, catalyzing the ATP-dependent activation of long-chain fatty acids (typically 12–20 carbons) by converting them into their CoA thioesters (fatty acyl-CoA). This step is essential for subsequent fatty acid β-oxidation, lipid biosynthesis, and membrane remodeling. The enzyme is widely expressed from bacteria to humans and is encoded by distinct genes (notably ACSL family isoforms in mammals), with tissue-, substrate-, and isoform-specific functions. It controls cellular fatty acid utilization, regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is implicated in metabolic diseases, liver conditions, cancer biology, and neurological disorders. Pharmacological modulation remains largely experimental, but its role as a metabolic gatekeeper and disease biomarker is well established in the literature.

Other names

Long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetaseAcyl-CoA synthetaseFatty acid thiokinase (long chain)Acyl-activating enzymeLignoceroyl-CoA synthaseACSL (family)

Drugs modulate this enzyme’s activity by inhibition or activation of fatty acid activation step, thus affecting via metabolic fate (e.g., blocking beta-oxidation or channeling fatty acids to other pathways)