Catalyzes the specific attachment of an amino acid to its cognate tRNA in a 2 step reaction: the amino acid (AA) is first activated by ATP to form AA-AMP and then transferred to the acceptor end of the tRNA . When secreted, acts as a signaling molecule that induces immune response through the activation of monocyte/macrophages . Catalyzes the synthesis of the signaling molecule diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A), and thereby mediates disruption of the complex between HINT1 and MITF and the concomitant activation of MITF transcriptional activity