This enzyme belongs to the family of ligases, specifically those forming carbon-sulfur bonds as acid-thiol ligases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (AMP-forming). Other names in common use include 4-coumaroyl-CoA synthetase, p-coumaroyl CoA ligase, p-coumaryl coenzyme A synthetase, p-coumaryl-CoA synthetase, p-coumaryl-CoA ligase, feruloyl CoA ligase, hydroxycinnamoyl CoA synthetase, 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase, caffeolyl coenzyme A synthetase, p-hydroxycinnamoyl coenzyme A synthetase, feruloyl coenzyme A synthetase, sinapoyl coenzyme A synthetase, 4-coumaryl-CoA synthetase, hydroxycinnamate:CoA ligase, p-coumaryl-CoA ligase, p-hydroxycinnamic acid:CoA ligase, and 4CL. This enzyme participates in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.
Gross GG, Zenk MH (1974). "Isolation and properties of hydroxycinnamate: CoA ligase from lignifying tissue of Forsythia". Eur. J. Biochem.42: 453–9. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1974.tb03359.x. PMID 4364250.
Lindl T, Kreuzaler F, Hahlbrock K (1973). "Synthesis of p-coumaroyl coenzyme a with a partially purified p-coumarate:CoA ligase from cell suspension cultures of soybean (Glycine max)". Biochim. Biophys. Acta.302: 457–64. PMID 4699252.