Involved in the catabolism of the rings C and D of cholesterol. Catalyzes the ATP-dependent CoA thioesterification of 3aalpha-H-4alpha(3'-propanoate)-7abeta-methylhexahydro-1,5-indanedione (HIP) to yield HIP-CoA. It can also use the hydroxylated analogs of HIP, 5alpha-OH HIP and 1beta-OH HIP. It requires that the side chain at C17 is completely removed. 3-[(3aS,4S,7aS)-7a-methyl-1,5-dioxo-octahydro-1H-inden-4-yl]propanoate + ATP + CoA = 3-[(3aS,4S,7aS)-7a-methyl-1,5-dioxo-octahydro-1H-inden-4-yl]propanoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate 5-hydroxy-3-[(3aS,4S,5R,7aS)-7a-methyl-1,5-dioxo-octahydro-1H-inden-4-yl]propanoate + ATP + CoA = 3-[(3aS,4S,5R,7aS)-5-hydroxy-7a-methyl-1-oxo-octahydro-1H-inden-4-yl]propanoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate kcat is 7.1 sec(-1) for ligase activity with HIP. kcat is 7.5 sec(-1) for ligase activity with CoASH (at pH 7.3 and 22 degrees Celsius). kcat is 13 sec(-1) for ligase activity with 5alpha-OH HIP (at pH 7.3 and 22 degrees Celsius). Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family.