Catalyzes the second step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A from vitamin B5, where cysteine is conjugated to 4'-phosphopantothenate to form 4-phosphopantothenoylcysteine (PubMed:11923312, PubMed:12906824, PubMed:29754768). Has a preference for ATP over CTP as a cosubstrate (PubMed:11923312). (R)-4'-phosphopantothenate + ATP + L-cysteine = AMP + diphosphate + H(+) + N-[(R)-4-phosphopantothenoyl]-L-cysteine (R)-4'-phosphopantothenate + CTP + L-cysteine = CMP + diphosphate + H(+) + N-[(R)-4-phosphopantothenoyl]-L-cysteine Cofactor biosynthesis; coenzyme A biosynthesis; CoA from (R)-pantothenate: step 2/5. Homodimer. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the PPC synthetase family.