Catalyzes the conversion of fatty acids such as long-chain and very long-chain fatty acids to their active form acyl-CoAs for both synthesis of cellular lipids, and degradation via beta-oxidation (PubMed:12975357, PubMed:24269233, PubMed:10954726). Can activate diverse saturated, monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PubMed:10954726). a long-chain fatty acid + ATP + CoA = a long-chain fatty acyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate (E)-hexadec-2-enoate + ATP + CoA = (2E)-hexadecenoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate ATP + CoA + hexadecanoate = AMP + diphosphate + hexadecanoyl-CoA Expressed primarily in brain. Expressed at lower level in testis and adrenal gland. Present in all regions of brain except pituitary. Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family. Bubblegum subfamily. Extended N-terminus.