Catalyzes the conversion of long-chain fatty acids to their active form acyl-CoA for both synthesis of cellular lipids, and degradation via beta-oxidation (PubMed:22633490, PubMed:24269233). Plays an important role in fatty acid metabolism in brain and the acyl-CoAs produced may be utilized exclusively for the synthesis of the brain lipid. a long-chain fatty acid + ATP + CoA = a long-chain fatty acyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoate + ATP + CoA = (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate ATP + CoA + hexadecanoate = AMP + diphosphate + hexadecanoyl-CoA (E)-hexadec-2-enoate + ATP + CoA = (2E)-hexadecenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate 15-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,13E)-eicosatetraenoate + ATP + CoA = 15-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,13E)-eicosatetraenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate 12-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,10E,14Z)-eicosatetraenoate + ATP + CoA = 12-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,10E,14Z)-eicosatetraenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate 5-hydroxy-(6E,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoate + ATP + CoA = 5-hydroxy-(6E,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate Expressed predominantly in erythrocyte precursors, in particular in reticulocytes, fetal blood cells derived from fetal liver, hemopoietic stem cells from cord blood, bone marrow and brain. Expression is low at earlier stages of erythroid development but is very high in reticulocytes. A chromosomal aberration involving ACSL6 may be a cause of myelodysplastic syndrome with basophilia. Translocation t(5;12)(q31;p13) with ETV6. A chromosomal aberration involving ACSL6 may be a cause of acute myelogenous leukemia with eosinophilia. Translocation t(5;12)(q31;p13) with ETV6. A chromosomal aberration involving ACSL6 may be a cause of acute eosinophilic leukemia (AEL). Translocation t(5;12)(q31;p13) with ETV6. Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family. Truncated C-terminus. Extended N-terminus.