acetate–CoA ligase EC 6.2.1.1; systematic name: acetate:CoA ligase (AMP-forming); other names: acetyl–CoA synthetase; acyl-activating enzyme; acetate thiokinase; acetyl-activating enzyme. An enzyme that catalyses a reaction between ATP, acetate, and CoA to form AMP, pyrophosphate, and acetyl-CoA. It is an important enzyme in organisms (e.g. Escherichia coli, many fungi, protozoans, algae) that utilize acetate as a carbon source. Distinguish from acetate– CoA ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.2.1.13.